A Connecticut family dog is being recognized for her bravery after she protected a 6-year-old boy from a charging black bear. The incident occurred on July 4th when Colton Tazzara was playing in front of his home.
Security camera footage captured the moment a black bear approached Colton. The dog, a husky mix named Bella, then ran towards the bear and nipped at its tail, successfully diverting its attention away from the child. The bear then retreated and fled into the woods.
Colton's father, Jeffrey Tazzara, told ABC News that he heard Bella barking in a manner distinct from her usual vocalizations before realizing an attack was imminent. "A vicious bark, not like she barks and yips and howls and stuff … this was a different kind of bark," Tazzara said.
Bella's actions led to her being honored by local politicians on June 17th. State Sen. Stephen Harding praised the dog for her "incredible bravery" in a Facebook post. "Stories like hers remind us of the remarkable bond between families and their pets and the incredible acts of heroism that can happen in our own communities," Harding stated. "Congratulations, Bella, on this well-deserved recognition. Connecticut is proud to call you one very good dog!"
