A seven-year-old French bulldog has died after reportedly helping save her owners during a bear attack outside their home in Northern California.
Jeff and Mallory Wilson were attacked at their rural home in Trinity County in the early hours of Saturday, September 19, after their dog, Cassie, began barking at something outside.
Jeff said he heard Cassie barking at about 4am and went into the backyard to investigate. When he opened the door, he encountered a bear, which attacked him and knocked him to the ground. Mallory, unaware of what was happening, woke after hearing loud noises and went outside, where the bear also attacked her.
Cassie then intervened, with Mallory saying the dog immediately positioned herself between Jeff and the bear. “Cassie immediately came to his defense, putting herself between Jeff and the bear,” Mallory said. The bear subsequently grabbed Cassie in its mouth and began carrying her away.
Mallory threw a chair at the animal, causing it to release the dog, while Jeff struck the bear with a patio heater. The couple suffered serious injuries during the encounter. Mallory sustained injuries to her head and face, a broken hand and several bite and puncture wounds. Jeff suffered two broken ribs as well as bite and claw wounds.
Cassie was rushed for emergency veterinary treatment and underwent surgery, but died from her injuries two days later. “She was never meant to be a hero, she was not our guard dog. She was just our sweet indoor lap baby,” Mallory said. The couple described the encounter as unprovoked and highly unusual, while stressing that they did not blame the bear for what happened.
“This was an unprovoked and extraordinarily unusual encounter that none of us could have anticipated,” they said. “We can grieve Cassie and be devastated by what happened while still respecting the wild animals that belong in these places.” Jeff and Mallory believe the bear may have panicked after becoming trapped between the house, a fence and a gate. “I think the bear was startled by us just as much as we were startled by it,” Jeff said.
A fundraising campaign was subsequently established by Rachel Moscon, a friend of the couple for about 20 years, to help with their medical expenses and lost income while they recover. The fundraiser described Cassie as “a deeply loved member of their family” who placed herself between Jeff and the bear when he was in danger.
More than $11,000 had reportedly been raised towards a $16,000 target. Jeff and Mallory are self-employed, and the funds are intended to help cover their medical expenses and loss of earnings during their recovery. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is investigating the attack, while wildlife officers are reportedly attempting to locate and trap the bear.
