Cassie, a 7.5-year-old French bulldog, died after intervening when a bear attacked her owners, Jeff and Mallory Wilson, at their rural California property near the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The couple said Cassie’s actions helped protect their lives, although they were left heartbroken by her death.

The attack occurred at about 4am after Jeff heard Cassie barking and went outside, where the bear charged and knocked him down. Cassie was badly injured when the bear seized her, before Mallory threw a chair and Jeff pushed a patio heater at it, forcing it to flee; Jeff suffered broken ribs and bite and claw wounds, while Mallory sustained serious head, facial and other injuries. California wildlife officials are investigating, and the couple have asked for the bear not to be euthanised.