Recently, several cases of bear attacks on dogs have been reported in Ōdate and Akita City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. On the 17th, an eight-year-old Labrador was found dead in the garden of its home in Gojōme Town. The dog's abdomen was torn open, exposing its internal organs, and there were visible bite marks on its left leg.
Why are bears attacking dogs and eating their organs? According to veterinarian Masumi Ishii, the attacked dogs are often found with intact limbs but severely damaged abdomens and missing internal organs. This, she explains, is a typical feeding pattern of bears.
Dr. Ishii notes that bears, preparing for hibernation, need to quickly build up energy reserves. They tend to consume internal organs first because these parts are soft, high in fat, easy to digest, and extremely nutrient-dense—especially the liver and mesentery, which provide the quickest source of calories. Since bears are solitary animals, the prey they catch can easily be stolen by other creatures, so they prioritize eating the most nutritious parts right away. Muscles, which require longer digestion, are usually left behind.
Wild bears also see dogs as relatively easy prey, given their smaller size and limited ability to fight back. From autumn to winter, bears become more active in searching for food in preparation for hibernation, making encounters near human settlements more common.
Dr. Ishii advises pet owners to keep their dogs indoors during the colder months. She emphasizes that understanding wildlife behavior and staying alert are key to keeping pets safe.
