Dog fights off bear, saves owner from brutal attack

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - A Canadian man has his dog to thank for saving him from an attack by a protective mother bear.

According to the CBC, Reid Roberts from British Columbia was running in Forest for the World Provincial Park with his dog, Pacer, on Tuesday when they reportedly accidentally startled a mother bear and her two cubs.

"She didn't hear us coming and we didn't know she was there," Roberts said to CBC. "She had no choice but to immediately go into attack mode."

Roberts says the bear knocked him down and was swatting at him. He tried to protect himself while pinned.

He also says that Pacer was fighting the bear from behind, biting and barking at the bear's legs.

Pacer was able to distract the bear long enough for Roberts to crawl away and hide behind bushes.

CBC reports that then the bear came rushing towards him a second time. By this point, Roberts was badly bleeding.

Pacer dove at the bear again, and led her down a path away from Roberts.

The dog managed to get away unscathed, but Roberts had to get 16 stitches.

"Pacer is my hero," Roberts said. "He's a great running partner."

The female bear was euthanized by animal officials and her cubs were taken to an animal sanctuary.