{
  "id": 2142545,
  "title": "‘Our hero’: Ontario dog honoured after saving owners from black bear that burst into their home",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/our-hero-ontario-dog-honoured-after-saving-owners-from-black-bear",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T13:15:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CityNews",
    "slug": "citynews",
    "url": "https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/08/20/ontario-dog-honoured-purina-hall-of-fame-black-bear/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Nipigon, Ontario, a seven-year-old mixed-breed dog named Chloe has been hailed as a hero after she saved her owners from a black bear that broke into their home one night. Chloe’s family, Colette and Joe Shwetz, were startled at around 11 p.m. when Chloe, eager for her nightly walk, opened the door for her usual routine. Little did they know, a black bear was waiting at the bottom of the deck stairs.\n\nChloe quickly retreated up the stairs, but the bear followed, and when Colette let Chloe inside, the bear charged through the doorway, knocking Colette to the ground. The 300-pound bear began biting and scratching Colette as she fought for her life. Chloe, however, raced to wake her owner Joe, who was asleep wearing a loud CPAP machine. Joe rushed to help, and together, Chloe, Colette, and Joe managed to push the bear down the basement stairs.\n\nLocal police later informed the family that each time the bear attempted to climb back up, Chloe relentlessly charged her, barking and pushing it back down. Despite her own injuries, Chloe’s determination kept the bear at bay until Joe was able to call 911. When officers arrived, they safely ended the encounter. Chloe suffered serious bite and scratch wounds and required multiple stitches, along with her owners.\n\nChloe’s bravery and commitment to protecting her family has earned her a place in the Purina Animal Hall of Fame. This prestigious program recognizes animals that have gone above and beyond to save human lives, with over 180 inductees since its inception in 1968. Chloe is now one of Canada’s most heroic pets, truly deserving of the title \"Our hero.\"",
  "summary": "Chloe, a mixed‑breed family dog, has been named a Purina Animal Hall of Fame Award recipient after protecting her owners, Colette and Joe Shwetz, during an unexpected black bear intrusion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}