A Montana resident successfully used bear spray to defend her three dogs from a charging moose in her backyard last week. The incident occurred on August 27 in Big Sky Country when Shelly Thorburn let her dogs outside.
Moose Encounter
Moments after opening her back door, Thorburn encountered a large moose and its calf on her porch. A Ring camera captured the confrontation. Thorburn described the moose as having its ears pinned back and making "grunting noises" as it approached. Two of her dogs were scared away by the commotion, but her 14-year-old dog, Annie, who is both deaf and visually impaired, remained unaware of the danger.
Thorburn expressed fear due to the animal's size, noting she had never had a large animal charge her before. In an effort to get all her dogs safely inside, she retrieved a can of bear spray. The spray proved effective, and all three dogs were unharmed.
The location of the incident is within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, where moose are known to frequent residential areas and are often not wary of humans. Wildlife authorities advise prioritizing moose safety when encountering them.