California couple injured in rare black bear attack, husband fends it off with an axe

A Mammoth Lakes, California couple suffered significant injuries after a rare black bear attack outside their home. According to local police, the woman opened her front door in the early morning and saw one of her dogs struggling with a black bear weighing about 32 kilograms.

When she went outside to separate them, the bear attacked, biting and scratching her. Her partner also came out of the house and was attacked. During the encounter, the woman managed to strike the bear with a water bottle, while the man grabbed an axe and hit the animal several times with the blunt side until it was mortally wounded.

The couple made it to the hospital on their own despite their injuries. Both dogs injured in the incident suffered only minor wounds and are expected to recover.

Afterward, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife decided to euthanize the bear, which was 17 months old, after determining it posed a danger to the public. Mammoth Lakes police chief Dan Cassavias said such attacks are extremely rare in the area. “Bears almost always avoid contact with humans and run away when they encounter them,” he said. “This kind of aggressive behavior is very unusual.” He added that officials are glad the couple is expected to make a full recovery.