Japanese monk adopts abandoned dog deemed too noisy, later saved by canine from fierce bear
A Japanese Buddhist monk who adopted an abandoned dog was saved by the canine during a fierce bear attack.
Tougen Yoshihara, the abbot of Youkoku Temple, a historic temple in Niigata in central Japan, was taking his one-year-old Beagle, Chico, for a walk in the woods near the temple on May 29 when an unexpected encounter occurred.
Suddenly, a 1.6-metre-tall bear appeared before them, leaving Yoshihara in shock, as he had never before faced such a beast.
In a panic, he stumbled and fell while attempting to escape, resulting in a dislocated right shoulder.
Experts recommend that Beagles, a breed known for their loud and playful demeanour, should not be abandoned because of their noise. Photo: Nippon Television (NTV)
At 45, Yoshihara was an avid exerciser with an exceptionally muscular physique, yet at that moment he felt nothing but helplessness, aware that survival seemed unlikely.
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