Watch brave husky chase bear away from child playing in driveway

A family dog's protective instincts were on full display when a bear unexpectedly came running towards a driveway where a child was standing.

Video footage from the dramatic incident, captured July 4 at a house in Torrington, Connecticut, shows a child playing in the driveway as a sprinting bear suddenly emerges. Seconds later, Bella, an 11-year-old husky, jumps in and chases the bear across the driveway and away from the child.

"My initial thoughts was to find both kids and get them in the house, followed by getting into the woods to make sure Bella was not fighting for her life back there," Bella's owner, Jeffrey Tazzara, said July 8.

Encounter with bear was a first for Bella, owner says

It was the first time Bella had come face-to-face with a bear, according to Tazzara.

"She's never been outside while a bear was by," Tazzara said. "Usually, they come through at night while we're sleeping."

Fortunately for the family, there were no injuries to the 6-year-old child or the dog, Tazzara said.

While Bella is "pretty spoiled on the daily," the pup will be "enjoying her own steak" as a treat, her owner said.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch brave husky chase bear away from child playing in driveway

Reporting by Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 12:18 PM.