{"id":474977,"date":"2026-09-25T05:08:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:08:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/474977\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T05:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:08:13","slug":"backyard-bear-attack-leaves-couple-injured-hero-dog-dead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/474977\/","title":{"rendered":"Backyard bear attack leaves couple injured, hero dog dead"},"content":{"rendered":"

A couple\u2019s beloved French bulldog<\/a> died saving its owners from a bear as the wild animal attacked<\/a> them in the backyard of their rural Northern California home.<\/p>\n

Jeff and Mallory Wilson were in their home in Trinity County Saturday when their dog, Cassie, barked just once. The late-night disturbance prompted Jeff to go outside and check the backyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As soon as he opened the door, Cassie stepped off the deck, and a cinnamon bear emerged from behind the patio furniture. The bear then attacked and knocked Jeff to the floor.<\/p>\n

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Unaware of the deadly attack, Mallory woke up to loud noises and went outside to check. The bear then attacked her, leaving her with grave injuries to her face and body.<\/p>\n

Jeff and Mallory with their French bulldog, Cassie, who died saving them from a cinnamon bear last week. Gofundme<\/p>\n

The couple and the dog were attacked by a cinnamon bear in rural Northern California on Sept. 19. Getty Images\/iStockphoto<\/p>\n

At some point during the attack, the bear grabbed Cassie with its mouth and started to run away. Mallory threw a chair at the bear, causing it to drop Cassie. Jeff then shoved a patio heater into the bear, and it finally ran off.<\/p>\n

The couple believes the bear panicked after getting cornered between the house\u2019s small fence and open gate. \u201cI think the bear was startled by us just as much as we were startled by it,\u201d Jeff told Redheaded Blackbelt in an interview.<\/a><\/p>\n

Mallory sustained serious injuries to her head and face, a broken hand and additional bite and puncture wounds. Gofundme<\/p>\n

The French bulldog, Cassie, died of her injuries two days after an emergency surgery on Sept 19. Gofundme<\/p>\n

The couple rushed Cassie into emergency surgery to treat multiple bite wounds and deep cuts along her spine. When she started walking and drinking water on her own two days later, they felt a surge of hope for her recovery. Tragically, she died the very next morning.<\/p>\n

According to a GoFundMe page set up<\/a> by the couple\u2019s friend of 20 years, Rachel Moscon, Jeff suffered two broken ribs and numerous bite and claw wounds, while Mallory sustained serious injuries to her head and face, a broken hand and additional bite and puncture wounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cCassie threw herself between Jeff and the bear in an effort to protect him,\u201d Moscon said. <\/p>\n

She added that the 7.5-year-old bulldog was a beloved member of the Wilson family, and \u201cin the moment Jeff needed her most, this little dog courageously put herself between him and a bear.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeff and Mallory are recovering from injuries after being attacked by a cinnamon bear. Gofundme<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was never meant to be a hero, she was not our guard dog. She was just our sweet indoor lap baby,\u201d the dog\u2019s owner, Mallory told Redheaded Blackbelt. <\/p>\n

The couple chose to live in rural Northern California to be closer to nature and its wildlife, and is shattered by the attack.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was an unprovoked and extraordinarily unusual encounter that none of us could have anticipated. We can grieve Cassie and be devastated by what happened while still respecting the wild animals that belong in these places.\u201d the couple said, per KRON4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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