Heroic dog owner fends off bear to save beloved pet
On December 20th, an unusual event occurred in Orange City, Florida, highlighting the depth of his love for animals. Blake Sprout, a resident of the town near Orlando, demonstrated that his dog Karen is not just a pet to him—she's a family member.
That evening, as he did every day, Sprout let his three dogs out into the garden before bedtime. He didn't expect to find three unusual visitors outside his door.
Before I could stop my dogs, they just ran towards the bears – he recounted in an interview with the "WSVN" station.
When the bear grabbed a small dog named Karen, Sprout didn't hesitate for a moment. He desperately attempted to save his pet, risking his own life.
I couldn't let Karen die. She was screaming in pain – he later admitted.
The man kicked one of the young bears, forcing it to release the dog. Unfortunately, the situation quickly escalated as the bear attacked Sprout, biting him in the abdomen.
In the end, the predator grabbed the dog again and ran away. Sprout was not inclined to give up – he threw stones at the bears until the aggressor let Karen go and retreated with its companions. The entire incident was captured by surveillance cameras.
Blows, bruises, and a life saved
Although Blake Sprout suffered injuries – a large bruise on his abdomen and the need for rabies vaccinations – he claims he doesn't regret his decision for a moment.
It's quite swollen, but everything should be fine – he said about his injuries.
Karen also went through tough times – the dog had to have stitches, which were removed on Friday.
Increased caution after the incident
Following this dramatic event, Sprout learned one thing – to be cautious.
I'm more careful when I go outside. And I check before I go out with them – he emphasised in an interview with reporters.
Intervention by officials
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reacted swiftly to the incident. The bears that attacked in Orange City were captured along with their mother and relocated to a more distant area. This action aims to improve safety in the region.