Woman Jogging with Her Dog Fought Off Grizzly Bear Using Hair Clip That 'Exploded' in Its Mouth
Vanessa Chaput was jogging with her German shepherd on June 30 when they were suddenly surrounded by four bears
A Canadian woman is speaking out after surviving a grizzly bear attack thanks to a hair clip and her dog.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on June 30 on the Trans Canada Trail, according to a news release from Yukon Conservation Officer Services.
Vanessa Chaput, 24, told Today she and her German shepherd, Luna, were jogging along a paved trail when they turned a corner and came face-to-face with three bears. A fourth was apparently lurking behind her as well.
Luna quickly broke away and chased off two of the smaller bears, leaving Chaput to face a large male bear on her own.
The bear attacked as Chaput attempted to back away. She tried to hide behind a tree, but the bear quickly tracked her down. “It took my head in its mouth and I ended up on the ground,” Chaput told Today.
Related: How to Prevent Bear Attacks and What to Do If a Bear Approaches You, According to Experts
At one point during the encounter, Chaput’s hair clip broke in the bear’s mouth. “It crushed the clip and I think the spring part just kind of exploded in his mouth,” she told Inside Edition.
The bear bit one of Chaput's arms and also left her with injuries to her spine and thighs, Today reported. It also bit one of her arms.
Eventually, Luna returned to the scene and helped chase off the last bear. It's unclear what happened to the fourth bear. Miraculously, her dog escaped the incident unharmed.
Related: Couple and Their Dog Killed in Grizzly Bear Attack at Canadian National Park: 'Tragic Incident'
Authorities believe Luna’s continued barking may have helped save Chaput’s life. “I am very shocked at how lucky I am,” Chaput told Today. “I’m extremely thankful that God was watching over me that day.”
Chaput shared that she doesn't recall screaming or feeling pain during the attack but does “remember being thrown around” by the bear. “You feel like a rag doll and there’s nothing you can do,” she added.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
During the ordeal, Chaput recalled thinking, “I’m not ready to leave my daughter and my husband."
Chaput sustained “significant injuries” from the encounter, according to the Yukon Conservation Officer Services.
She was hospitalized for 10 days and received more than 30 stitches before she was released, per Today.
Related: 35-Year-Old Man Seriously Injured After ‘Surprise’ Grizzly Bear Attack in Grand Teton National Park
A nearby campground was temporarily evacuated and closed after conservation officers learned multiple bears were involved in the attack, according to the Yukon Conservation Officer Services.
A conservation officer euthanized a bear “that was present at the exact location of the attack” immediately after the June 30 incident. “Three additional bears matching the description were located in the area and two were euthanized," authorities added.
The YCOS acknowledged the public’s concern regarding the euthanization of bears following a defensive attack but said “critical decisions are made in the interest of public safety” in circumstances like this.
“Officers take this responsibility and the outcomes of their decisions seriously,” the agency added.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
