Intrepid Superhero Pets: Jack, the Bravest Cat

In June of 2006, Jack, a 15 lb. cat, protected his territory from a black bear by chasing it up a tree when the bear wandered into his yard in Milford, New Jersey.

The cat keeps a close vigil on his property, chasing small animals when he can, but his owners and neighbors say his latest escapade was surprising. "We used to joke, 'Jack's on duty,' never knowing he'd go after a bear," cat owner Donna Dickey said.

A surprising behaviour

Neighbor Suzanne Giovanetti first spotted Jack's accomplishment after her husband saw a bear climb a tree on the edge of their northern New Jersey home's back yard on Sunday. Giovanetti thought Jack was simply looking up at the bear, but soon realized the much larger animal was afraid of the hissing cat.

After about 15 minutes peering down at the cat from the tree, the bear descended and tried to run away, only to have Jack chase it up another tree. At this point Dickey, who feared for her cat, called Jack back home and the bear scurried back to the woods. "He doesn't want anybody in his yard," Dickey said. 

We can say that Jack deserves the title of "Intrepid Superhero Pet"!

AP Photo / Suzanne Giovanetti

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