A little dog named Cassie showed the world what raw courage looks like when a bear charged her family in the darkness.
The 7½-year-old French bulldog stepped into a nightmare outside her owners’ rural Northern California home and fought to protect them. Jeff and Mallory Wilson survived the attack.
Cassie died from her injuries two days later. The tiny dog never backed down from the animal in front of her.
The first report carried the heartbreaking outline of Cassie’s final act.
Redheaded Blackbelt spoke directly with the couple and reconstructed the terrifying encounter. Cassie barked during the night, prompting Jeff to turn on the outside light and look through a window before opening the door.
When Cassie stepped onto the deck, a cinnamon-colored black bear appeared from behind patio furniture. Jeff said the bear may have felt trapped between the house, a small fence and an open gate.
When he yelled, the animal charged, knocked him backward and broke two of his ribs. The bear bit him below the knee and clawed his other leg as he tried to fight it off with a potted plant.
Then Cassie charged in, growling and snarling. The bear grabbed her and began to move away.
Mallory ran outside after hearing the screams and threw a chair, causing the bear to drop Cassie before turning on her. Jeff shoved a patio heater into the animal, and it finally fled.
The attack lasted only moments, but the damage was devastating. Jeff needed staples for his leg.
Mallory suffered injuries to her head and face, a broken hand and other bite and puncture wounds. California wildlife officers are investigating and trying to trap the bear.
A local television report shared Mallory’s description of the sweet house dog who suddenly became her family’s defender.
Cassie escaped after the fight and hid. Jeff and Mallory found her and drove her to an emergency veterinary hospital, where she underwent surgery for cuts along her spine and numerous bite wounds.
There was a brief burst of hope. By the second day, Cassie was walking and drinking water on her own.
The next morning, she died from her injuries.
She had spent her life as what Mallory called a sweet indoor lap dog. When her family faced mortal danger, instinct—or love—took over.
The family’s GoFundMe says Jeff and Mallory now face continuing medical treatment, emergency veterinary costs, property damage and lost income. The couple operates a small hospitality business, and their injuries have forced them to cancel reservations while they recover and cooperate with the wildlife investigation.
Jeff suffered two broken ribs along with bite and claw wounds. Mallory sustained serious injuries to her head and face as well as other bite and puncture wounds.
Their physical recovery will take time, and the loss of Cassie has landed on top of the medical and financial strain.
The couple has spent years living and working around wildlife and taking precautions to coexist with the animals around their property. Friends described them as passionate animal lovers, making both the attack and Cassie’s death especially painful.
The fundraiser is being handled through a designated account for medical care, travel, Cassie’s emergency treatment, repairs, cleanup and living expenses while the couple cannot fully operate their business. It has become a place for strangers to honor the little dog who refused to abandon her family.
Another Northern California report confirmed the severity of the attack and the investigation now underway.
Bear attacks that injure people are rare in California, but rare does not mean harmless. State wildlife guidance says anyone physically attacked by a black bear should fight back rather than play dead and call 911 as soon as possible.
Cassie had no training for a fight like this. She had no size advantage and no way to understand the odds.
She simply saw her people in danger and moved toward them.
Rest easy, Cassie. You were a very good girl—and a hero when your family needed one most.
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.
The post Tiny French Bulldog Makes Heroic Final Stand During Brutal California Bear Attack appeared first on 100PercentFedUp.com.
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