A California couple is mourning the loss of their beloved seven-year-old French bulldog after she was killed in a terrifying bear attack at their home earlier this month.
For a brief moment, Jeff and Mallory Wilson thought their beloved dog might pull through.
Their seven-year-old French bulldog, Cassie, had survived a violent encounter with a bear at the couple’s home in Northern California. She had undergone emergency surgery and, two days after the attack, was even able to get up and drink water on her own.
But the family’s hope did not last.
Dog protected owners being attacked by bear
Cassie died the following morning, leaving the Wilsons devastated after what had already been a terrifying ordeal.
The incident happened on September 19 at the couple’s home in Trinity County. Cassie started barking late at night, prompting Jeff to go outside and see what had caught her attention.
He quickly found himself face-to-face with a cinnamon bear.
The animal attacked Jeff and knocked him to the ground. Mallory was awakened and went outside, where she was also attacked.
Both suffered significant injuries. Mallory was left with injuries to her head and face, a broken hand, and several bite and puncture wounds. Jeff suffered two broken ribs in addition to multiple wounds from the bear’s bites and claws.
Then Cassie intervened.
“She was never meant to be a hero”
According to the family, the small dog moved between Jeff and the bear. The animal grabbed Cassie and began running away with her.
Jeff managed to fight back. He threw a chair at the bear, causing it to release Cassie, and then pushed a patio heater toward the animal. The bear eventually ran off.
Cassie was badly hurt and needed emergency surgery.
Her condition appeared to improve enough to give the Wilsons some hope. But despite being able to walk and drink independently two days later, Cassie died the next morning.
Mallory said the dog had never been trained to defend the family and was not intended to act as a guard dog.
“She was never meant to be a hero, she was not our guard dog. She was just our sweet indoor lap baby,” Mallory told Redheaded Blackbelt.
A GoFundMe was created
Rachel Moscon, a close friend of the couple who created a GoFundMe to help them, said Cassie appeared to instinctively put herself in danger when Jeff was being attacked.
“Cassie threw herself between Jeff and the bear in an effort to protect him,” Moscon said.
The fundraiser described Cassie as a much-loved member of the Wilson family.
“In the moment Jeff needed her most, this little dog courageously put herself between him and a bear”.
Moscon is now asking for help for Jeff and Mallory as they recover from their injuries and cope with Cassie’s death.
“If you are able to help Mallory and Jeff through this incredibly difficult time, any donation will help give them the time and resources they need to heal, grieve Cassie, and eventually rebuild the life and business they love. If you cannot donate, sharing their story would mean so much. Thank you for helping them through a tragedy none of us could ever have imagined,” Rachel added.