MAMMOTH LAKES, CA – A local man and woman are recovering after surviving a rare and aggressive black bear attack outside their Old Mammoth home on Monday morning.
Chaos in the Front Yard
The incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, in the Old Mammoth neighborhood. According to the Mammoth Lakes Police Department, a local woman went outside after hearing her dogs barking, only to find a 70-pound yearling black bear fighting with one of her pets.
When she tried to intervene, the 17-month-old bear turned on her, delivering multiple bites and claw wounds.
The Fight to Survive
Hearing the screams, the woman’s partner rushed outside to help, but the bear immediately turned its aggression toward him.
The struggle escalated quickly until the couple used everyday items to save their lives:
- The Water Bottle: The woman struck the bear with a water bottle, giving the man a brief window to break free.
- The Hatchet: The man ran inside, grabbed a hatchet, and used the blunt end to hit the bear multiple times, critically injuring the animal and ending the assault.
Despite sustaining significant injuries, the couple managed to drive themselves to a local hospital. Both are expected to fully recover, and their dogs sustained only minor injuries.
Animal Euthanized by Wildlife Officials
Responding officers located the critically injured bear and secured the scene. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife later determined the animal posed a severe threat to public safety and humanely euthanized it.
“Incidents like this are extremely rare in Mammoth Lakes,” Mammoth Police Chief Dan Casabian said in an official statement. “Bears almost always avoid humans and will flee when confronted. This type of aggressive behavior is highly unusual.”
Local Bear Safety Reminders
With bear activity common in the Sierra Nevada, local police and wildlife authorities are urging residents to take immediate precautions:
- Never approach or try to feed a bear.
- Keep all household garbage securely stored.
- Supervise pets and keep dogs leashed when outside.
