Get All Access for $5/mo

Teenager Goes Viral After Fighting Off Giant Bear to Save Family Dogs Never underestimate how far a dog mom will go to protect her beloved babies.

By Emily Rella Edited by Amanda Breen

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

@bakedlikepie | TikTok

You might think there's nothing more protective than a Mama Bear, but never underestimate how far a dog mom will go to protect her beloved babies.

This was the case for 17-year-old Hailey Morinico of Bradbury, California this Memorial Day weekend when she went into full ruthless mode to save her family's pets.

A home video shows a gigantic brown bear jump onto a ledge in Morinico's family backyard accompanied by her two baby cubs. But before the bear can make it over the barrier and into the yard, a pack of the family's dogs comes swarming in and barking at the bear.

Related: Ouch, Charlie! Viral Video to Be Auctioned as NFT

In the anxiety-inducing clip, the bear begins to swat at the dogs as if it is going to attack, when the teenager comes sprinting in and pushes the bear back off the other side of the ledge while frantically herding the dogs back inside.

@bakedlikepie

My cousin Hailey yeeted a bear off her fence today and saved her dogs. How was your Memorial Day?! (WTF?!) #ohno #badass #brave #fight #bear

♬ Oh No - Kreepa

The video was posted to TikTok by Morinico's cousin, Brenda Lopez Rincon, and has since gone viral, garnering over 9 million likes and 736,000 shares.

"My cousin Hailey yeeted a bear off her fence today and saved her dogs," the caption cheekily reads. "How was your Memorial Day?!"

Users were stunned in the comment section, praising Morinico's bravery and "mom instinct."

"She literally became superwoman instantly," one user wrote.

Related: Why the 'Save Ralph' short went viral

"Both mommas just protecting their babies," said another.

Morinico posted her own TikTok in a "story time" format where she explained the incident in her own words, telling viewers that her dogs were lounging in the home's backyard area when they began to start barking.

@tempurashrimp

Reply to @cynthiaromeroo ##greenscreen STORY TIME ABOUT THE BEAR if u have questions I'll answer in the comments :)

♬ original sound - secks haver

"When I go over there to see what they're barking at, I'm like, that's a funny looking dog," she joked about the bear.

She said that by the time she got over to where the bear was, it was already picking up her dog Valentina, who she describes as "the baby."

"I look [the bear] in the eyes and the first thing I think to do is push it," she said of her instinctual action. "I just pushed her enough to make her lose her balance."

Morinico says that she sprained her finger during the debacle.

"You definitely saved Valentina's life," someone praised. "You're legit amazing."

It is estimated that there are around 40 bear attacks around the world each year.

Related: TikTok Star Sells Viral Video as NFT for $500,000

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

4 Ways I Grew My Business From Startup to 17 Years of Sustained Success

Whatever the future holds, remembering these four lessons will help sustain and scale your startup to a lasting legacy.

Side Hustle

This 20-Year-Old Student Started a Side Hustle With $400 — and It Earned $150,000 Over the Summer

Jacob Shaidle launched his barbecue cleaning business Shaidle Cleaning in 2021 when he was just 15.

Business News

Barbara Corcoran Says This Is the One Question to Ask Before Selling Your Home

Barbara Corcoran sold The Corcoran Group in 2001 for $66 million.

Business News

Google Says It Won't Follow Amazon's Lead With a Return-to-Office Mandate — Yet

In a town hall, Google leaders told staff the current hybrid plan will stay in place.

Business News

'Not a Big Deal': Barbara Corcoran Says the NAR Ruling Hasn't Had Much of an Impact So Far

The ruling removes the commission rate that home sellers are expected to pay.