Lier’s “Bear Fighter” Was Real, and Loved Sugar

In Lier, Belgium, Radio 2 investigated local legends and confirmed the existence of August Smet, known as “Sus den Berenvechter” (Sus the Bear Fighter). For generations, residents have shared stories of a man who walked with bears on the city’s ramparts.

Research revealed Sus worked as a boxer and wrestler with a traveling circus in the 1920s, where he performed with a brown bear. While accounts of actual bear walks are unconfirmed, multiple sources, including Sus’s descendants, recall him handling the animals and even walking with young bears after performances.

The bears’ claws were reportedly removed to ensure safety, and Sus would reward them with sugar. Sus Smet lived in Lier until his death in 1973 and his family continues to operate an antique shop. Despite not being formally recognized in the city’s museum, his legacy endures and people still inquire about “Sus den Berenvechter” when contacting the shop.