A Japanese Buddhist monk who adopted an abandoned dog was saved by the canine during a fierce bear attack.

Tougen Yoshihara, the abbot of Youkoku Temple, a historic temple in Niigata in central Japan, was taking his one-year-old Beagle, Chico, for a walk in the woods near the temple on May 29 when an unexpected encounter occurred.

Suddenly, a 1.6-metre-tall bear appeared before them, leaving Yoshihara in shock, as he had never before faced such a beast.

In a panic, he stumbled and fell while attempting to escape, resulting in a dislocated right shoulder.

At 45, Yoshihara was an avid exerciser with an exceptionally muscular physique, yet at that moment he felt nothing but helplessness, aware that survival seemed unlikely.