A heroic French bulldog sacrificed itself to save its owners during a bear attack in Northern California earlier this month. <\/p>\n
The couple were severely injured, but survived the Sept. 19 attack. However, their beloved dog Cassie was injured and died two days later.<\/p>\n
The couple \u2014 identified as Trinity County residents Mallory and Jeff Wilson by the San Francisco Chronicle<\/a>, which was first to report on the incident \u2014 declined The Times\u2019 interview request.<\/p>\n However, they sent a written statement through a longtime friend who created an online fundraiser for the couple. <\/p>\n \u201cCassie was deeply loved, and her loss has been devastating,\u201d their statement read. \u201cRight now, our priority is recovering physically, grieving her, and trying to regain some sense of normalcy.\u201d <\/p>\n According to the fundraising website<\/a>, Jeff Wilson was outside the couple\u2019s home when he was suddenly attacked by a cinnamon bear. <\/p>\n The dog \u201cthrew herself between Jeff and the bear in an effort to protect him,\u201d according to the page. The commotion woke Mallory, who ran outside to help. The bear then attacked her, as well.<\/p>\n Jeff suffered two broken ribs and several bite and claw wounds; while Mallory suffered serious head and face injuries, as well as bite and puncture wounds.<\/p>\n The fundraiser, which as of Friday evening had raised more than $15,000, will go toward covering medical care, vet bills and property damage. Because the couple are self-employed owners of a small hospitality business, they have needed to cancel guests reservations as they recover, and they do not have paid sick days or bereavement, according to the fundraiser.<\/p>\n In their statement to The Times, the couple said they have \u201ctremendous love and respect for the animals\u201d in the area and are cooperating with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.<\/p>\n Peter Tira, a Fish and Wildlife spokesperson, declined to comment, as the investigation is active.<\/p>\n A cinnamon bear is a type of black bear. According to<\/a> Fish and Wildlife, black bear encounters resulting in human injury are rare in California. <\/p>\n Most black bear \u201cattacks\u201d are actually defensive actions, and generally take place if an animal is protecting cubs, startled or scared, according to the department.<\/p>\n But attacks do happen. Earlier this year, a bear reached through a window<\/a> of a San Bernardino County home and clawed a 19-year-old\u2019s face and chest. <\/p>\n