A 2-year-old beagle mix is recovering after suffering serious injuries during an encounter with a black bear outside his owner’s home in Torrington.
Richard Hubbard said the incident happened while he was outside taking out the trash. He spotted a black bear near his dumpster, and before he could react, his dog, Kobe, ran toward it. Hubbard, who is recovering from knee surgery, said he was unable to stop the dog in time.
“It was the most traumatic thing I’ve ever seen. To hear the dog make the cry, I thought he was a goner,” he said.
Hubbard said Kobe managed to break free after the commotion.
“The dog overreacted and with all the commotion the dog’s leash dropped because he’s a strong dog. He wants to get away,” he said.
Hubbard said Kobe was trying to protect him but suffered deep cuts from the bear’s bites and paw swipes.
He called 911 and was able to take Kobe to a veterinary hospital in Middletown, where the dog is now recovering.
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“The surgery was a success. That was the biggest hurdle and I’m so grateful,” he said.
Wildlife officials with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said bear encounters in Torrington are not unusual and urged residents to keep bears away from their homes by securing dumpsters and properly storing trash.
Melissa Ruszcyk, a DEEP wildlife biologist, said unsecured garbage can draw bears into neighborhoods.
“We want to be mindful of how we store our trash, our garbage. We know that bears are attracted to it,” she said.
DEEP also said making loud noises, including allowing a dog to bark, can help scare a bear away. However, officials advised pet owners to keep their dogs close to prevent them from chasing a bear.
Ruszcyk said dogs can suffer serious injuries if they get too close.
“One swipe from a bear’s paws is enough to really inflict some serious injuries, if not kill a dog,” she said.
Hubbard said he tried to keep Kobe close but was limited because he is recovering from surgery. He also said the community has stepped up to help cover Kobe’s medical expenses, and he is grateful for the support.
He said he hopes other dog owners stay alert when bears are nearby.
“There’s so much that people need to be aware of,” he said.