A couple in Northern California survived a bear attack in their garden, thanks to their seven-year-old French bulldog, Cassie, who died from her injuries two days later. The attack occurred at their rural Trinity County home at around 4am on Saturday, September 19.
Attack unfolds in backyard
Jeff Wilson heard Cassie barking and went to check the backyard. When he opened the door, a bear attacked him and knocked him to the ground. His wife, Mallory, was then awoken by loud noises and went outside, where the bear also attacked her.
The bear then grabbed Cassie in its mouth and began running away. Mallory threw a chair at the animal, causing it to drop the dog, and Jeff hit the bear with a patio heater.
Injuries and loss
Mallory sustained serious injuries to her head and face, a broken hand, and additional bite and puncture wounds. Jeff sustained two broken ribs and several bite and claw wounds. Cassie died two days after emergency surgery on September 19.
Mallory told Redheaded Blackbelt: 'She was never meant to be a hero, she was not our guard dog. She was just our sweet indoor lap baby.' Speaking to KRON 4, she added: 'Cassie immediately came to his defense, putting herself between Jeff and the bear.'
Investigation and fundraiser
The couple said: 'This was an unprovoked and extraordinarily unusual encounter that none of us could have anticipated. We can grieve Cassie and be devastated by what happened while still respecting the wild animals that belong in these places.' They believe the bear attacked because it panicked, being cornered between the house's fence and gate. Jeff told Redheaded Blackbelt: 'I think the bear was startled by us just as much as we were startled by it.'
A GoFundMe page set up by the couple's friend of 20 years, Rachel Moscon, described Cassie as 'a deeply loved member of their family' and said: 'In the moment Jeff needed her most, this little dog courageously put herself between him and a bear.' The fundraiser has amassed more than $11,000 of its $16,000 goal, with money going towards medical bills and loss of earnings for the self-employed couple. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating the attack, and wardens are trying to trap the bear.
