Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe encounter unfolded in Mammoth Lakes, a town in California's Sierra Nevada region (AFP/Getty)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 fullCalifornia couple fight off bear attack with just a water bottle and a hatchetThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

The 17-month-old bear was euthanized after the man fought it off near Yosemite National Park.

A California couple fought off a young black bear with a water bottle and a hatchet after it attacked them outside their home, authorities said.

The bear began ‘biting and clawing’ the woman as she tried to prevent it from attacking her dogs, officials say

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The 17-month-old bear has been euthanised as a 'threat to public safety' after a stunned dog owner found the wild animal fighting with their pet dog in the garden