Inuvik - A local man is mourning the loss of two husky dogs which were killed by a grizzly bear near Industrial Road.

Willie Simon lost two dogs to a grizzly bear on Nov. 21. He is shown with the surviving dog, Axle, who incurred serious injuries. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

Willie Simon said the grizzly approached his house on Nov. 21 and started biting and clawing at his animals.

He said he was returning from checking his fishing nets on the East Channel of the Mackenzie River, and came across the scene.

"I was back from checking my nets, going back in, and I saw the bear was fighting the dogs," he said.

Simon added he's seen many bears around the Delta, but had never had one approach his property before.

In fact, he said he hasn't heard of a bear coming to town and attacking dogs since the 1950s.

"It's the closest I've ever seen one in Inuvik," he said.

When he saw the bear, Simon went indoors to look for his gun, a .303 British rifle.

While he quickly found the gun, he said it took him a few minutes to find the bullets, which were kept in a separate cabinet, as per firearms law.

Meanwhile, the bear kept fighting two of his dogs.

One died instantly, while another later died of traumatic injuries.

"In a situation like that, you just don't have the time to start looking for your shells or unlocking a separate cabinet," Simon said.

Once he had the bullets, he went outside and took aim at the bear, which was attacking a third dog.

He said the dog was bloodied and the bear was holding it by the neck.

When he got a clear shot, Simon killed the bear.

He then went to his dog's side and found it was still breathing.

Simon said he called Environment and Natural Resources and the Gwich'in Renewable Resource Board, who took samples and checked the bear for rabies.

It was not infected.

Simon wished to thank Catherine Lambert and Hideaki Koizumi, who nursed his remaining dog back to health in their home.

"They patched him up. He was really in bad shape, and he probably owes his life to them," he said.

Simon said the bear looked small and thin, and perhaps was looking for food.

But its venture into town cost the beast its life, and the lives of two of Simon's dogs.

"I never had any trouble like this before. I might put up a fence," he said.