In November 1878, a polar bear brought back by Arctic whalers escaped into the streets of Dundee. After charging up Commercial St, it broke into a clothier’s shop on the High St (it’s now a gift shop).
It was recaptured after it got distracted by a mirror. The tailor and a customer were in the shop at the time and hid behind the counter. Amazingly no-one (including the bear) was injured, except for a dress mannequin in the shop window– it got badly mauled. An ex-sailor who worked for the Theatre Royal made a noose, marched in the shop, and threw it round its neck. Cool as ye like.
References
Illustrated Police News. 23rd November 1878. pg. 1.
Edinburgh Evening News. 8th Novemeber 1878. pg. 2.