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North Carolina Man And His Dog Escape Bear Attack

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Author Melany Myers
Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

We all have to be careful outside due to wildlife, but if you live in the North Carolina mountains, you have to be extra careful. Snakes and coyotes are the biggest threat in our area but once you’re in the mountains, you’ve got to keep an eye out for bigger animals. Bobcats and bears are usually the animals that people encounter. One North Carolina man had a scary run-in with a bear and luckily escaped.

According to UPI, 67-year-old John Koerber, lives on the outskirts of Hendersonville in Beechwood Lakes, North Carolina. He’s usually up early to take his dog Chewbacca, aka ChewB, out to potty. Recently his dog woke him up a bit earlier than usual. As he took the yorkie outside to do his business around 4 a.m, a bear lunged for the dog.

As it was dark outside, Koerber wasn’t able to see well. His dog was on a retractable leash, and while the dog was sniffing around, Koerber and his dog heard a very deep roaring sound. That’s when the bear suddenly appeared and was trying to attack ChewB. Koerber quickly yanked the dog away and began warding off the bear with a walking stick.

The bear was blocking Koerber and the dog’s path back to the door. It was then that ChewB’s terrier genes went into action and the little dog lunged toward the bear. The bear began reaching out its claws towards the pup, but the two were able to escape and get back into the house. Koerber says he’s encountered bears before, but he’s never had one act aggressively. Luckily, Koerber and ChewB avoided any injuries from the experience.

Yorkies are very small dogs with their average weight being under 10 pounds. Most terrier breeds have a fierce attitude and are rarely scared of anything, including larger animals. A guy that lives in my apartment building has two tiny yorkies and they have a big dog attitude!

My Jack Russell Terrier Gypsy was only 9 pounds when she bit a sheepdog and tried to attack two German Shepherd’s at once.  I love a terrier! They’re rarely afraid of anything and they’re stubborn attitude is the best! You have to watch them though as their big attitude can get them in trouble!

Can You Guess the Most Dangerous Animals in North Carolina?

Well, we all know North Carolina is home to many different species of animals across the state. From unique pets to animals you find on the beach to animals you find up in the mountains. The state has so many different types of living areas for animals that it is kind of wild to think about how many different homes we offer them. But, not all of these animals are ones you should play with. Think about it, not every animal is a kind, friendly dog. We have some dangerous species to beware of within the state.

Animal Vivid wants to be sure we are all aware of what creatures we should stay away from if we ever come across them. From deadly reptiles to deadly insects, you never know what you might come across in North Carolina wildlife. They gathered a list of the 10 most dangerous animals in North Carolina. Below, you can find 5 of the most dangerous animals in North Carolina and a little bit about each one. No worries, want to see the full list of all 10, click here and be safe!

  • The American Alligator

    Come on, we’re in the Carolinas! We knew an alligator would have to make this list at some point. This reptile lives in swamps, streams, or rivers throughout the state. Unfortunately, the alligator is a carnivore. The American alligator specifically is a species of alligator that you should be extremely cautious of. Although it will ignore humans sometimes, it still can consider human flesh to be a great meal!

  • Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

    North Carolina is home to three different rattlesnake species, how lucky are we? All three are different level of danger to a human. Of the three though, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the most venomous in the American continent. Now, that is some power! The Diamondback is also the largest rattlesnake, so if you needed more of a reason to stay away… there you go!

  • Black Bears

    Now, coming from someone who just recently saw Cocaine Bear, I could see why this animal is on the list. Black bears are found throughout the forests spread across the state of North Carolina. Although the black bear is the smallest of all bear species, it can still be dangerous. Thankfully, the black bear does not attack often and would rather scare you away from it than actually harm you.

    @jnc.naturewalk

    #grandfathermountainnc #blackbears #blueridgeparkwaync #mountainwildlife #ncoutdoors #natureadventures

    ♬ The Jungle Book - The Bear Necessities - L'Orchestra Cinematique | Alala

  • Brown Recluse Spider

    I am not a spider person whatsoever, but here we go. The brown recluse spider can be found in wood piles, sheds, or garages which means it’s close to home. Although they contain a very high level of venom they are a bit iffy when it comes to humans. The spider only bites when it feels threatened so be careful if you ever see one, because the venom is strong enough to put you in the hospital after a bite.

     

  • White-tailed Deer

    We all know we have seen a deer or two whenever we’re out on the roads. This mammal lives in cropland, brushland, or pastureland across the state. Although deer are pretty peaceful in general, they earned their danger stripes due to the number of car accidents they cause throughout the state. Early mornings and early evenings you can find deer crossing dark roads at such random and high-speed cars sometimes don’t stand a chance. Whenever you’re on a roadway where you may not be able to tell if a deer is coming or not, it’s always best to just sit back and drive with caution.

    @huntfishmb

    Replying to @Keevin Erickson Since you all loved the first video, here is some more! Check out this awesome buck in the middle of shedding his velvet - With coyotes in the back keeping him on his toes! You never know what you may see in Manitoba’s great outdoors! Good luck this season! #HuntFishMB #Whitetail #Deer #SheddingVelvet #VelvetWhitetail #DeerHunting #Whitetaildeer #bowhunting

    ♬ original sound - HuntFishMB

 

 

 

 

Melany Myers is a Gastonia native and has spent most of her life here in North Carolina. Mel has worked in radio for over 20 years, many of which she spent co-hosting morning shows in Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. Mel loves 80’s music, going to concerts, cooking, and eating! She is always writing about random news stories that really make you wonder, “what in the world?!” She also writes about rock music and human-interest content.

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