- A California couple in Mammoth Lakes fought off a 70-pound black bear that attacked them and their dogs, using only a hatchet and a water bottle.
- The incident began when a woman intervened after hearing her dog fighting with the bear, leading the bear to turn its aggression towards her.
- Her partner then joined the struggle, striking the bear multiple times with the blunt end of a hatchet after the woman used a water bottle to create an opening.
- Both the man and woman sustained significant injuries, while their dogs received minor injuries; the bear was critically injured and later euthanized by authorities.
- Mammoth Lakes Police and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stated that such aggressive bear behavior is highly unusual and provided residents with safety guidelines for bear encounters.
IN FULL
California couple fight off bear attack with just a water bottle and a hatchet
