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FAIRBANKS, Alaska — It's that time of year again — it's moose-warning season!
Every year a few new videos pop up on the internet showing us just why we should be afraid, very afraid, of moose.
As is often the case, this year's "close call with a moose" winner comes to us from Alaska, where moose and bear seem to constantly roam the streets of any city, town, or village in the northernmost state in the union.
Wild animals mingling with humans happens enough that in some areas in Aalska and Canada, it's common to leave your car doors unlocked so friends and neighbors can escape encounters with deadly animals.
But a car doesn't save the day in this clip, instead it's a feisty dachshund named Reecey.
In the video, we see a man crunching through the snow to get his mail. Between his focus on the task at hand and the glare of the sun on the snow, he doesn't see a young moose lurking in the shadows across the street.
Luckily, Reecey was there and saw the danger just in time — and I mean just in time. The moose starts to charge and it seems inevitable that he will crush the man into the back of a truck before the man even notices. But with Reecey's lunging barks and the man's eventual yell of surprise, the moose stops inches before this video becomes a tragedy.
Man and dog both escape harm and quickly hightail it back into the safety of their home.
Since we have moose in Utah, let's do a quick reminder of all the sobering moose facts camp counselors and park rangers tell us in their "scared straight" speeches.
- Moose are generally peaceful but will violently protect their territory.
- There's no worse place to be in the world than between a mama moose and her calf.
- Moose can and will stomp you to death without a care in the world.
- Moose can weigh up to 1,400 pounds and grow up to 7 feet tall, making them natural crushing machines.
- Your vehicle (and maybe you) will not survive if you hit a moose with your car.
Conclusion: Check yourself before a moose wrecks yourself.
