California couple injured in bear encounter outside their home

A couple in Mammoth Lakes, California, sustained significant injuries after a black bear attacked them outside their home on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. when the woman opened her door to find one of her dogs engaged with a 70-pound bear. When she attempted to intervene, the bear turned its attention to her, resulting in clawing and biting injuries. The man then came outside and used a hatchet to strike the bear multiple times, while the woman hit it with a water bottle, critically injuring the bear. Both individuals were able to transport themselves to a hospital for treatment. The couple's dogs are expected to recover from minor injuries. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife later euthanized the bear after determining it posed a threat to public safety. Mammoth Lakes Police Chief Dan Casabians noted that such incidents are rare in the area and emphasized the importance of avoiding bear encounters by securing garbage and not feeding wildlife.