A dog named Chloe, hailing from Nipigon, Ontario, has been honored for her bravery in defending her family against a black bear last autumn. Chloe, a medium-sized mixed-breed dog, has been inducted into the prestigious Purina Animal Hall of Fame for her exceptional courage and loyalty in safeguarding her owners during life-threatening situations, as stated in a recent press release.
Colette Shwetz, Chloe’s owner along with her husband Joe, shared that Chloe was rescued in May 2019 at six months old and described her as a humble and affectionate soul. The remarkable incident took place on the night of September 16, 2025, when Chloe bravely confronted a bear that had followed her into the yard and then into the house, surprising Colette and Joe in the kitchen.
Joe, awakened by Chloe’s barking, rushed to find Chloe holding the bear’s hind leg in her mouth, attempting to guide it out of the kitchen. With Chloe’s courageous stance, they managed to move the bear into a hallway and eventually into the basement before the authorities arrived and dealt with the situation.
Colette praised Chloe for her vigilant guard over them until the police intervened, preventing a potentially dangerous encounter. Despite sustaining injuries that required medical attention, all three individuals recovered, with Chloe receiving a well-deserved steak dinner as a token of appreciation.
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 heroism that have saved lives throughout Canada. Chloe joins the ranks of other courageous animals, such as Murph, an Australian Blue Merle Sheepdog from Kenora, who was inducted in 1984 for alerting her owners to a fire, allowing all residents to evacuate safely.