A couple sustained significant injuries in a black bear attack in California\u2019s Sierra Nevada, authorities said Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 17-month-old bear, which also injured the couple\u2019s dogs, was euthanized after the man fought it off with the blunt end of a hatchet, the Mammoth Lakes Police Department said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attack occurred around 6 a.m. in Mammoth Lakes, near Yosemite National Park, after the woman tried to stop the bear from fighting with one of her dogs outside her home, the police department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A second dog ran outside, according to the release, and the bear bit and clawed the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the man tried to intervene, the bear \u201caggressively confronted\u201d him, as well, though he was able to flee after the woman began hitting it with a water bottle, the department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man went inside and grabbed the hatchet, ending the confrontation, according to the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The couple drove to a local hospital, the police department said. Their conditions were not immediately clear. Their dogs sustained minor injuries, according to the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Law enforcement determined that the bear was a threat to public safety and euthanized the animal, the police department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police Chief Dan Casbian said in the release that bear attacks are extremely rare in the area. Bears typically avoid humans and will flee when they are confronted, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n