Overview
- The attack that occurred Monday in the Old Mammoth neighborhood began after the couple’s two dogs got into a fight with an estimated 17-month-old, 70-pound black bear.
- The woman was bitten and clawed when she tried to intervene and the man and woman used a water bottle and the blunt end of a hatchet to stop the animal before driving themselves to Mammoth Hospital with significant injuries.
- Officers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists later located the critically injured bear, deemed it a threat to public safety, and humanely euthanized it; the investigation and public-safety response have been handled by CDFW.
- Authorities stressed that attacks are rare, noted that the couple and their dogs are expected to recover, and described the bear’s aggressive behavior as highly unusual for black bears.
- Officials urged residents to secure food and garbage, supervise and leash pets, and carry bear deterrents when appropriate as growing bear numbers and expanding development increase the risk of encounters and could prompt more management actions.