On Sept. 19 a black bear attacked Jeff and Mallory Wilson outside their rural Northern California home. Their 7-year-old French bulldog, Cassie, put herself between the bear and Jeff, sustaining severe injuries and dying two days later on Sept. 21. Both owners were injured—Jeff with broken ribs and multiple wounds, Mallory with head and neck injuries—and a GoFundMe was launched to help cover medical bills. The family remembers Cassie as a beloved lapdog whose actions they believe saved their lives.
Heroic French Bulldog Dies After Saving Owners From Bear Attack in Northern California
Jeff and Mallory Wilson with their dog, Cassie.Credit: GoFundMe
On Sept. 19, a black bear attacked residents outside a rural Northern California home. Their 7-year-old French bulldog, Cassie, rushed to defend her owners, Jeff and Mallory Wilson, and later died from injuries sustained in the encounter.
According to the couple, Jeff followed Cassie outside when a black bear attacked him. Mallory told KRON 4 that "Cassie immediately came to his defense, putting herself between Jeff and the bear." Their friend Marika Judi Graham told The San Francisco Chronicle that Mallory, who had been sleeping, awoke to screaming and ran outside, where she saw the bear holding Cassie in its mouth and her husband injured on the ground.
Mallory said she struck the bear with a piece of patio furniture in an attempt to drive it off. The bear attacked her as well; she was knocked down and grabbed by the back of the head before the animal fled the scene.
The couple's dog, Cassie.Credit: GoFundMe
Both owners were treated for injuries. Jeff suffered two broken ribs and multiple bite and claw wounds and received 13 staples. Mallory was treated for injuries to her head, face and hand, required stitches, and a CT scan revealed neck injuries. A GoFundMe was created to help cover unexpected medical expenses.
Rescuers found Cassie in the property's garden and rushed her to an emergency veterinary hospital. She succumbed to her injuries two days later, on Sept. 21.
"Cassie was never meant to be a guard dog," Mallory said. "She was a beloved indoor lapdog, and we are heartbroken that she ever had to be in the position to fight for her life. We believe her actions helped save our lives."
The couple described Cassie as an enormous part of their family — "funny, stubborn, loving, incredibly brave, and completely devoted" — and said they are grieving her loss while focusing on recovery and memorial plans.
What Happened Next
Local authorities and wildlife experts often advise residents in bear country to secure attractants, keep pets supervised, and avoid approaching wildlife. The Wilsons and their neighbors are now coping with injuries, medical bills and the loss of a pet they consider a hero.
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