A dog named Chloe from Nipigon, Ontario, has been honored for her bravery in protecting her family from a black bear last autumn. Chloe, a mixed-breed medium-sized dog, has been inducted into the prestigious Purina Animal Hall of Fame for demonstrating exceptional courage and loyalty in safeguarding her owners during life-threatening situations, as stated in a recent press release.
Colette Shwetz, along with her husband Joe, who are Chloe’s owners, shared that Chloe, a rescue dog they adopted in May 2019 at six months old, is a humble and loving companion. The remarkable incident occurred on the night of September 16, 2025 when Chloe encountered the bear in their yard and bravely confronted it as it followed her into the house, surprising Colette and Joe in the kitchen.
Joe, awakened by Chloe’s vigilant barking, rushed to find Chloe gripping the bear’s hind leg in her mouth, attempting to guide it out of the kitchen. With coordinated efforts, they managed to escort the bear to the basement, where it was later handled by the authorities upon their arrival.
Chloe valiantly held off the bear, alerting the police with her persistent barking until help arrived. Despite sustaining injuries, including stitches and wound care for all involved, Chloe’s resilience and courage were commendable. In recognition of her heroism, Chloe was rewarded with a steak dinner by her grateful owners.
Established in 1968, the Purina Animal Hall of Fame has acknowledged 198 animals, including 170 dogs, 27 cats, and one horse, for their extraordinary acts of bravery and devotion that have saved lives in Canada. Notably, Chloe joins the ranks of other heroic animals from northwestern Ontario, such as Murph, an Australian Blue Merle Sheepdog from Kenora, who was inducted in 1984 for alerting her owners to a fire in their apartment building, enabling the safe evacuation of all residents.
