Dog-Bear Fight in Smokies

“The park rangers are looking for witnesses to a dog-bear fight that happened in the Cades Cove area of the Smokies Sat night.

Witnesses to dog-bear fight in Cades Cove sought
By MORGAN SIMMONS, simmonsm@knews.com
July 22, 2003

Rangers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are looking for eyewitnesses to a Saturday fight between a pit bull, a sow bear and her three cubs in Cades Cove.

The incident occurred at 8 p.m. in full view of a crowd that had gathered along the Cades Cove Loop Road near Hyatt Lane to watch a mother bear and her cubs. According to witness reports, a pit bull dog belonging to a Georgia man bolted from the road and attacked one of the cubs.

The sow bear reportedly chased the dog back into the crowd several times. Park spokesman Bob Miller said one of the onlookers actually threw a video camera at the bear as it was pursuing the dog.

"Apparently things got a little sporty with the crowd of people, and the bear pursuing the dog," Miller said. "Somebody could have been hurt."

Rangers used eyewitness reports to stop Danny Hollifield, 46, of Villa Rica, Ga., a few miles from the cove. Hollifield's dog had claw marks consistent with a bear encounter but was otherwise unhurt.

Miller said none of the bears was injured during the encounter.

Hollifield was cited for harassing wildlife, having an unsecured pet and creating a hazardous situation. He faces up to a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail.

Dogs are permitted in developed areas of the Smokies but only on leashes. Dogs are prohibited from the park's backcountry altogether.

Park officials say they are still trying to get a clearer picture of the incident, and ask anyone with any information to call the park at 865-436-1230.

"As a national park, we're responsible for protecting visitors from wildlife, and wildlife from visitors," Miller said. "That's why we prohibit dogs in the backcountry."”

“Yet another "responsible" dog owner......

I'm not anti-dog, I'm anti-jerks that will not keep their dogs under control.”

“Where's Micah???”

“Wonder if the dog had a choke collar on?”

“Is just like kids..you can't blame the child for the behavior at times when the parents let them run-a-muck!”

“They need to give that idiot the max.”

“a guy threw a camera at the bear?? WTH? what an idiot!”

“ya.. let's bring a unleased pit bull into CADES cove.. lol.. deer and bear heaven.”

“This is one time that I fully agree with Michah.”

“What an idiot. This is almost as bad as the people who let their dogs run loose in the woods during hunting season.”

“Sounds like Spuds McKenzie got his ass kicked.”

“Too bad Spuds McKenzie didn't get his head ripped off. I love dogs, have one myself. Pit bulls are some of the meanest dogs I have ever seen. My neighboor has to rotwrilers )I know I spelled that wrong) and a pit bull. It freaked me out a little, all of these big dogs, but the rot's are the most gentle animals I have ever seen. The pit bull on the other hand, is just a waste.

The guy that threw a camera is lucky too! The bear might have turned its attention to this dumba$$ and killed him. Then park rangers would have had to shoot the mother because she was trying to defend her young. Why are people so stupid?”

“Actually you're supposed to throw things at bears if they come too close. I'd have tried to find something besides a video camera though.
I wonder if you can legally throw a dog at an attacking bear?

As some of you know, I think bears are are a pain in the ass and it wouldn't hurt my feelings if they all just blew into little pieces. If I saw a pit bull dog and a bear going at it, I wouldn't rat on anyone. I don't care for Pit bull dogs either. They are also a waste of fur IMO.”

“I guess you could chuck something like a toy poodle or a chihuahua at 'em, but I don't think it would slow 'em down much.”

“Throw a few, and it might slow down or get indigestion.”

“This is one time I'd advocate shooting the dog.”

“naw, dont shoot the poor stupid dog... shoot the dumb ass owner”

“I heard from a friend that happened, but Thanks Ewker for posting the story.

I agree the dog owner should get the book thrown at him for his irresponsibility. I'm glad the bears weren't hurt and no by standers got injured. WTF with the video camera?!
I have a dog and love him dearly, but I'd never but him in a spot like that. I do not care for pitbulls either. Pitbulls were bred for folks who lived in Australia and had problems with wild boars. No dog existing at the time was stupid enough to tangle with a boar. The pitbull was bred for its ferocity, toughness, and its lack of fear to rush in to attack huge wild boars. They are insane enough to go for it regardless. If I lived in the Australian outback and were a sheep rancher I'd be tickled to have a Pitbull. But I'm not... and neither are most folks who own them. It all goes back to having sense enough to know what a particular breed was intended for. Most dogs like that are NOT good pets because they were not intended to be pets in the first place. They are working dogs. The animal was only being true to its nature to attack and defend. The dog cannot help it.”

“My daughter in law has a pit bull that she rescued that is her baby; the dog's a total wimp and very gentle, though not particularly friendly (too scared). That said, I wouldn't want to leave the grandchildren alone with the dog, just in case instinct set in.”