‘She’s our little savior’: A New Mexico bear’s reign of terror crumbles thanks to an unlikely hero

A northern New Mexico family is currently celebrating their 12-year-old half-blind dog, Honey, who recently fought off a bear and protected their many animals, including a whopping 60 chickens, as reported by KOB 4. This incredible feat has left the Martinez family in Cordova immensely grateful, even as Honey continues her long road to recovery.

The whole ordeal began on the evening of March 3, when Honey, a loyal member of the Martinez family’s household, was tracking something on their sprawling family land. Denise Martinez recalled, “She was tracking something at the time. We didn’t know what, but we knew she was tracking something.” The family raises a variety of animals on their property, including horses and numerous dogs. Little did they know, Honey was on the scent of a much larger, more dangerous intruder.

The next morning, the Martinezes found Honey in their driveway, suffering from major injuries. It was a devastating sight for them. Leanna Martinez described the horror, saying, “Her face was swollen on the left, so I turned her head like to the right, and that’s when I saw, like her whole neck was just ripped from the back all the way down.” Alongside Honey’s grievous wounds, the family also discovered scratches on fences and trees, along with other undeniable signs that a bear had been in the area.

It became chillingly clear that Honey hadn’t just been tracking; she had been fighting

Darren Martinez expressed the family’s shock and heartbreak. “It was just devastating. You know, I never thought I would ever see our dog in that shape,” he shared. Their immediate concern was getting Honey the critical care she desperately needed. They rushed her to an emergency vet for overnight treatment, but the costs were staggering, far more than they could easily afford. This is a tough spot many pet owners find themselves in.

Thankfully, the Martinezes found a lifeline in Española Humane’s clinic, which provides lower-cost urgent animal care in Rio Arriba County. This organization is a fantastic resource, making sure that animals can get the help they need without completely breaking their owners’ banks.

Mattie Allen, from Española Humane, vividly remembered Honey’s initial condition. “Her face was so hugely swollen, I mean you couldn’t even tell features in her face,” Allen noted. Española Humane stepped up, treating Honey’s severe neck wound with regular bandage changes and providing the necessary medication, all for significantly less than the family’s initial emergency vet estimate.

It’s a testament to their mission that they can offer such vital services. Allen emphasized the importance of their work, stating, “Everyone cares about their animals, and some people just don’t have enough money to pay for thousands and thousands of dollars of care that is required.”

New Mexico, where the Martinez family resides, is home to a surprising array of potentially dangerous wildlife. While many people think of venomous snakes, scorpions, and spiders, the state also harbors more substantial threats like cougars and a growing population of black bears. The Martinezes’ home is situated north of Santa Fe, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, an area well-known for its sizable black bear population.

These bears have been known to cause issues, occasionally attempting to infiltrate homes in search of food. There was even a tragic incident in 2001, which marked the only recorded human fatality linked to a bear attack in the history of the state. It’s a rare occurrence, but it highlights the potential danger these animals pose.

It is somewhat more common for bears to target livestock and domesticated animals, especially when they’re looking for an easy meal. This particular bear, likely just emerging from hibernation and on the hunt for food, had its sights set on the Martinez family’s chicken coops. That’s where Honey stepped in.

Despite her age and a significant disadvantage—she’s 12 years old and was blinded in one eye years ago after an unfortunate encounter with a porcupine—Honey didn’t hesitate. She bravely confronted the bear, successfully warding it off and preventing it from harming the chickens or other animals on the property. Her courage in the face of such a formidable opponent is truly remarkable, especially considering her physical limitations.

Honey still has a long road ahead. She currently has an open wound that will heal from the inside out, a process her family expects to take months. It’s a slow recovery, but she’s on the mend, and that’s what truly matters. The family has understandably showered her with praise and a fitting new nickname. “She’s our little savior,” Denise Martinez said with pride. “She’s been nicknamed the bear slayer, and we’ve just come to find out that the bear slayer is afraid of the vacuum cleaner.”