A viral video from Bradbury, California, highlights the tension of bear and human encounters.
A 17-year-old girl, Hailey Morinico, was inside her home when she heard her dogs barking. Upon investigation, she found a brown bear and her cubs wandering along a wall, prompting her dogs to bark.
The bear swiped at and picked up Valentina, Hailey's mother's emotional support animal. In a split-second decision, Hailey rushed over and shoved the mama bear off the wall before hurrying her dogs back inside.
"When I knelt down, I was literally face to face with her," Hailey told CNN. "That was when I had to think. I didn't really think up until then. I did this for [my mom]."
Experts warn that this incident points to a deeper problem. The clip has spread online, sparking concerns about human-wildlife encounters.
Author's summary: Teenager saves family dog from bear attack.