GRASS VALLEY, Calif. -- A California man has a lot to be thankful for after he reportedly fought off a black bear to save the life of his pit bull named Buddy, according to CBS News.
The day before Thanksgiving, Buddy was outside playing near his home in Nevada County, California. Kaleb Bentham said something didn’t sound right.
“I heard a growl, looked about 75-100 feet down, and the bear was dragging him by his head, had his head in his mouth,” Benham told CBS13.
Benham saved Buddy from a shelter a few years ago, and didn’t hesitate to rescue him again.
“I just ran down there, plowed into the bear, tackled it and grabbed it by the throat and started hitting it in the face and the eye until it let go,” Benham said.
Benham then describes the frantic search for a veterinary hospital that was open during the pandemic. The closest option was closed.
A man’s love for man’s best friend is a powerful force. Kaleb Benham from Grass Valley took on a 350 pound bear that was attacking his rescue dog, “Buddy.” Kaleb said he heard a growl the saw the bear dragging buddy “by his head.” So he tackled the bear and punched it pic.twitter.com/XAhTrS2AEC
— Anna Giles (@AnnaGilesTV) December 4, 2020
“My first thought was that I was going to lose him,” Benham said.
Buddy is now making a speedy recovery, after needing staples, stitches and tubes inserted into his head to drain excess fluid.
Benham says the bear is still out there, and has visited the area several times since the attack.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates there are between 25,000 and 30,000 black bears in the state.
