'I Am Going To Die': Hero Doberman Saves 71-Year-Old Hiker From Charging Grizzly

October 3, 2025

A 10-year-old Doberman has been inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after saving his owner from a grizzly bear last spring.

Craig Campbell and Night / Purina

On May 2, 2024, 71-year-old Craig Campbell and his loyal companion, Night, were trekking along a familiar trail when they noticed movement in the bush. At first, Craig assumed it was just deer or elk, common sights in the area. But in an instant, a massive grizzly bear burst from the trees, charging straight toward him.

"The grizzly exploded out of the forest in a full gallop!” Campbell said.

In that split second, Craig reached for his bear spray but realized he wouldn’t get it out in time.

“I managed two thoughts,” Campbell recalled in an interview with CTV News. “First of all, I said to myself, ‘This can’t be happening.’ And then I realized I wasn’t going to get the bear spray out (in time) and I said to myself, ‘I’m about to die.’”

That’s when Night sprang forward, placing himself between his owner and the charging bear.

“Still eyes on the bear, I saw Night leap in front, crouched and looking savage,” Craig said.

The dog’s fearless stance caused the bear to rear up on its hind legs in a chilling display. But the tense standoff was enough to make the grizzly back away and disappear into the forest.

Night was one of just two dogs inducted into the 2025 Purina Animal Hall of Fame. The other is Toph, a blind Great Pyrenees who alerted his family and helped save them from a fire.

The program has celebrated nearly 200 animals (168 dogs, 27 cats and one horse) since 1968.