California couple use hatchet, water bottle to fight off bear attack in Mammoth Lakes

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A California couple attacked by a bear outside their eastern Sierra Nevada home have survived the encounter after fighting off the animal with a water bottle and a hatchet, authorities said.On Monday morning, a woman in Mammoth Lakes heard one of her dogs barking and went outside to investigate, discovering it was in an altercation with a 70-pound black bear, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.While she was making her way outside, her other dog also ran out and got involved, according to a Mammoth Lakes Police Department announcement.“She attempted to break up the fight between the two and was yelling, and the bear turned on her and ended up attacking her,” said Kory Collins, assistant chief with the CDFW law enforcement division.Her husband, noticing the commotion, also went outside to investigate.Officials say he saw what was happening and jumped into action.Mammoth Lakes Police said the bear then turned on him.

His wife used the opportunity to retreive a water bottle and got the bear off of him.The man then ran inside to grab a weapon.“He fought the bear off with a hatchet, and ultimately they both got away,” Collins said.

California A 71-year-old woman who was found dead inside her Sierra County home had been mauled by a black bear, the first known such fatal attack in California history.The couple went to the hospital with serious injuries, like bites and claw markings, officials said.Collins told The Times that wildlife interactions with humans, while rare, can still happen.“There are incidents every year where a bear comes into contact with a human, so it’s not uncommon,” Collins said.The bear was approximately 17 months old, and in the 70-pound range, Collins said, explaining the severity of the situation.“A bear that is 70 pounds can cause significant damage,” Collins said.“Wild animals are very strong, very resilient and thi...