An Alaska woman says a pistol she was carrying helped save her dog's life after a black bear attacked the animal during a mushroom-foraging trip on the Kenai Peninsula earlier this month.
Lori Price was walking near Skilak Lake on June 7, with her German short-haired pointer, Chaos, and chocolate Labrador, Willis, when the outing suddenly turned dangerous.
Price told Alaska News Source she heard a roar and immediately realized a bear had encountered her dogs.
"I heard the bear and I registered what was going on," Price said. "My sudden reaction was, I have to get to my dog now."
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When she spotted Chaos being attacked, Price drew a Glock 43 9mm pistol she was carrying and fired at the bear.
"I pull my pistol, and I shot. Boom! Down like a sack of potatoes goes the bear," she recalled.
Price initially believed the danger had passed. But as she checked on Chaos, who was suffering from multiple bite wounds and significant blood loss, the bear got back up.
Price said she fired again before the animal rose once more.
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"All of a sudden, the bear gets up again. And I’m like, 'Oh my God. What?'" she recalled.
Price and her dogs then ran from the area while the bear headed off in the opposite direction. While returning to her vehicle, Price called 911, though she said poor cellphone reception made it difficult to stay connected with dispatchers.
After reaching her car, she flagged down a passing driver and told them she and her dog had been attacked.
Emergency responders arrived and helped care for Chaos before Price drove him to a veterinary clinic for treatment.
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"My heart broke," Price said. "He had so many bite marks on him. It was like the bear thought he was like a little sardine."
Price credited veterinarian Dr. Patrick with helping save the dog's life.
"Dr. Patrick called me from the veterinary clinic, and I owe him my dog’s life," she said.
Chaos was released from the clinic later that day and is expected to make a full recovery. Price said the dog has regained his ability to walk and continues to heal from the attack.
"Obviously, we’re going through a lot of recovery, but he is really lucky to be alive," she said.
Willis was not injured during the encounter.
