Winhall, Vermont - A Vermont woman was attacked by a bear last Wednesday after her Shih Tzu chased the animal's cub. She escaped with non-life-threatening injuries thanks to her partner's quick intervention.

Sarah Dietl (43) let her dog outside around 10 PM on November 3 when the pooch, named Bodhi, immediately went after a bear cub and chased it up a tree.

This dog's game apparently didn't please the cub's Mama bear, who suddenly charged at Sarah out of nowhere.

"[The Bear] came running out of the dark. She ran right to me. It was terrifying," Sarah told Battleboro Reformer about the attack.

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Before she knew what was happening, the bear started to maul Sarah as she yelled for help.

Luckily, her partner heard her screams and was able to scare the bear away, smacking it over the head with a flashlight. The two then scrambled back into the house.

Once they were inside, they tried to let their dog back in, but the bear began to charge again towards the door. They slammed it and quickly called 911.

Sarah's injuries were non-life threatening, but she needed 15 staples in her scalp, and was treated at the hospital for a "mangled" hand and cuts to her face and side.

Bohdi, who had run away in the chaos, finally returned home the next morning.

Vermont fish and wildlife officials said this isn't the only bear incident to occur in the area recently.

Col. Justin Stedman, warden director of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, told the Reformer that "bears are intelligent creatures. They learn to associate people with food, because folks want to feed the birds, or they want to put their garbage out."

Officials on the scene also found decorative pumpkins nearby that had been munched on by bears, as well as a bird feeder.

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Officials suggests that residents who live near wooded areas take precautionary steps before they let their pets out at night. Yards should be brightly lit and owners should make noise to make their presence known.

Although bear attacks are very rare, Stedman said bear run-ins in Vermont this year are at the highest level they've ever had.