“She risked her life to save not just the coop, but her family, from that bear,” her owner said of the senior dog
Credit: Espanola Humane
NEED TO KNOW
- A half-blind senior dog named Honey protected her family and their dozens of farm animals by courageously fighting off a bear that had just emerged from hibernation
- “We’ll never know exactly how it unfolded in the dark of that night, but we know this: Honey stood her ground against something she had no business fighting,” Española Humane wrote of the incident
- While Honey suffered severe injuries, she is now recovering from surgery: “This half blind sassy senior is still here”
A half-blind senior dog saved her family and their dozens of farm animals after bravely fighting off a bear in New Mexico.
On March 3, a 12-year-old dog named Honey "with a farm patrol route to keep and a family to protect" shielded her family and the dozens of animals they keep on their farm — including two horses and more than 60 chickens — from a hungry bear that had just emerged from hibernation.
"We'll never know exactly how it unfolded in the dark of that night, but we know this: Honey stood her ground against something she had no business fighting," Española Humane wrote on Facebook alongside photos of Honey, who had suffered numerous injuries. "She took the hits so no one else would have to, and she drove a predator away from everything she loves."
Honey's owner, Denise Martinez, discovered the brave dog hours after the incident, feeling that something was "terribly wrong." Security footage and tracks from the attack showed that Honey had diligently warded off a bear while on patrol.
Credit: Española Humane
"She was tracking something at the time. We didn't know what, but we knew she was tracking something," Martinez told local outlet KOB 4, noting that her family found Honey in the driveway with major injuries.
Denise's daughter, Leanna Martinez, added, "Her face was swollen on the left, so I turned her head to the right, and that's when I saw her whole neck was just ripped from the back all the way down."
While Denise told The Guardian that Honey's wounds "did not look like something Honey would be able to overcome," they rushed her to the urgent care clinic run by Española Humane.
"Her injuries were catastrophic," the nonprofit shelter wrote on Facebook. "A devastating degloving wound from her neck up into her face. Deep punctures. Unbelievable bruising and swelling. Lacerations that told the story her voice never would."
"But Honey made it… and zero chickens were harmed, both horses fully protected," the post continued. "Her family, who work in healthcare themselves, knew immediately, though, that this was life or death for Honey."
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Credit: Espanola Humane
Since the incident, the elderly dog — who has also survived Parvo and a run-in with a porcupine that left her half-blind — has been recovering from surgery and taking her medications.
"She is our little savior — she's always been protective that way," Denise told The Guardian. "She risked her life to save not just the coop, but her family, from that bear."
As Española Humane put it, Honey ultimately "stood between her family and danger" — no matter the cost.
"It could have cost her everything," the shelter emphasized. "And because of her family's love, a community who cares, and a little bit of Honey Badger badassery…this half blind sassy senior is still here."
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