Vermont Bear Turns Porch Delivery into Midnight Feast: Chewy Responds with Free Replacement Box
In a typically Vermont encounter straight out of a storybook, a curious black bear turned a routine delivery into an unexpected midnight feast, knocking down a box of dog biscuits left on a resident's porch overnight. The incident, captured on home security footage, has since gone viral on social and media, highlighting the customer-friendly policies of pet supply giant Chewy.
The drama unfolded when a neighbor received a UPS shipment from Chewy around 8 p.m. one evening. For reasons not specified—perhaps a missed pickup or simple oversight—the package remained on the porch through the night. That's when the local bear made its grand entrance, helping itself to the contents with evident delight.
The homeowner, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared details of the event on Reddit's r/vermont community, describing nearly three hours of Ring camera footage showing the bear thoroughly enjoying the pilfered treats. "Our local bear [was] eating delivered Chewy dog biscuits," the post titled, quickly garnering over 190 upvotes and sparking lighthearted discussions among users.
The resident reached out to Chewy with the video, and the company responded with good humor. According to the account, Chewy is sending a replacement box of biscuits at no charge.
While the exact location within Vermont wasn't disclosed—bears are common in the state's wooded and rural areas—this story serves as a reminder of the close proximity between human habitats and wildlife in the Green Mountain State. Vermont's Department of Fish and Wildlife notes that black bears are the most abundant large mammal in the region, with sightings increasing in suburban areas during late summer and fall as they forage for food ahead of hibernation.
The footage, shared as a video clip on the Reddit thread, depicts the bear methodically unpacking and consuming the biscuits, providing ample entertainment for online viewers. Comments on the post ranged from amused anecdotes about local bear encounters to queries about the biscuit brand and packaging durability, but none pinpointed a specific town.
Incidents like this are not uncommon in bear country. Experts recommend securing deliveries promptly and using bear-resistant containers to avoid attracting wildlife. Chewy, known for its robust customer service, has a history of going above and beyond for pet owners, including replacements for damaged or lost orders.