Japanese monk adopts dog rejected for being 'too loud' — it ends up saving him from a bear attack
A Japanese monk who adopted a beagle rejected for being "too loud" was later rescued by that very dog during a bear encounter in the woods. Tougen Yoshihara, a 45-year-old Buddhist monk and abbot of the historic Youkoku Temple in Niigata, Japan, was walking his one-year-old beagle, Chico, through a wooded area near the temple grounds on May 29, 2025, when he came face-to-face with a wild bear. The bear, standing approximately 1.6 meters tall, appeared suddenly and without warning. In shock and attempting to escape, Yoshihara fell and dislocated his right shoulder, leaving him in severe pain and unable to defend himself.
Despite his muscular build and dedication to physical fitness, he later admitted that in that moment, he felt utterly powerless, reported the South China Morning Post. As he lay on the ground, unable to move, it was Chico, once abandoned by a former owner for barking too much, who stepped forward. The dog lunged toward the bear and barked relentlessly until the animal turned and fled into the woods. Chico gave chase, vanishing into the trees, as Yoshihara, injured and stunned, struggled to follow him. Not long after, his wife called, her voice trembling: "Chico came back." Overcome with relief, Yoshihara broke down in tears.
When he finally saw the dog again, he said Chico’s face was full of pride. Before joining Yoshihara’s household, Chico had been returned to a shelter for being "too loud," a common reason cited in Japan for giving up beagles. Known for their vocal and energetic temperament, beagles often struggle in homes unprepared for their natural behavior. On social media, where he describes himself as a "muscular monk" and shares updates with more than 5,700 followers, Yoshihara publicly thanked Chico and recounted the story, which has since been picked up by several Japanese media outlets, as per Japan Daily.
The story garnered a wave of heartwarming reactions online, with some calling it "a reminder not to adopt beagles just for their cuteness or abandon them for barking, and others being grateful that "they both made it home safely." Chico’s bravery also underscores a growing concern in the region. Niigata Prefecture has reported more than 160 bear sightings in 2025 alone, with at least two injuries resulting from encounters. In response, authorities have advised residents to carry noisemakers such as bells or radios when walking in wooded or rural areas, especially during early morning or evening hours when bear activity is more common. Yoshihara’s experience, while exceptional, touches on a larger issue surrounding pet abandonment.
A 2019 survey in Japan of over 2,000 dog owners in Latin America found that excessive barking, especially triggered by sounds indoors or at visitors, was among the most frequently reported behavioral problems, with breeds like beagles, toy poodles, and dachshunds most commonly affected. Beagles, in particular, are often given up for being noisy, despite being bred for their vocal traits as scent hounds. But the very trait that once led to Chico’s rejection became the reason Yoshihara survived. "Chico barked, and that bark saved my life," he said. Grateful and visibly moved, Yoshihara later referred to Chico as his "savior." That night, he allowed the dog to sleep by his side, calling it a gesture of deep appreciation.