A dog named Chloe, residing in 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 Purina Animal Hall of Fame for her exceptional courage and loyalty in safeguarding her owners during life-threatening situations. Colette Shwetz, along with her husband Joe, rescued Chloe in May 2019 when she was around six months old.
Describing Chloe as a rescue dog with a gentle demeanor, Colette highlighted her loving nature. The remarkable incident took place on September 16, 2025, when Chloe encountered a bear in her yard and bravely led it back into the house, surprising Colette and Joe in the kitchen.
Joe, awakened by Chloe’s barking, joined the unexpected encounter with the bear in the kitchen. Chloe courageously held onto the bear’s hind leg, attempting to guide it out of the house. With their combined efforts, they managed to relocate the bear to the basement before the authorities arrived.
Chloe, hailed as a hero by her owners, valiantly stood guard, barking and deterring the bear until the police intervened. Despite sustaining injuries, all three – Chloe, Colette, and Joe – received medical attention and recovered. Chloe was rewarded with a steak dinner for her bravery, and Colette expressed gratitude for her dog’s lifesaving actions.
Purina, in a press release, revealed that the Animal Hall of Fame, established in 1968, has recognized 198 animals to date for their extraordinary acts of courage and devotion that have saved lives in Canada. Chloe joins the ranks of other heroic animals, including Murph, an Australian Blue Merle Sheepdog from Kenora, inducted in 1984 for alerting her owners to a fire, ultimately saving all residents in the building.