Mammoth Lakes, California – Officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured and euthanized a 17-month-old bear who scuffled with a dog and injured two people. According to a release from the Mammoth Lakes Police Department, the incident happened in the early morning hours on June 8.
The agency describes what transpired:
Officers learned an adult woman heard her dogs barking and saw a black bear fighting with one of her dogs in front of her home. Another dog got out when the woman went outside and she attempted to stop the bear from fighting with her dogs. The bear then turned its attention toward her, biting and clawing her. Hearing what was occurring, the man came outside to intervene and was aggressively confronted by the bear as well. The woman was able to grab a water bottle and use that to strike the bear until the man could get free.
Describing how the bear was injured:
Then the man retrieved a hatchet from within the house and used the blunt end of it to strike the bear multiple times, critically injuring the bear and stopping the confrontation.
Both people were injured but able to drive themselves to a hospital for treatment. The dog involved in the scuffle only sustained minor injuries.
“Incidents like this are extremely rare in Mammoth Lakes,” said Chief Dan Casabian. “Bears almost always avoid humans and will flee when confronted. This type of aggressive behavior is highly unusual. We are grateful that the couple are expected to make full recoveries and appreciate the quick response of our officers, CDFW, Bishop Veterinarian Hospital, and Mammoth Hospital Staff.”
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