A tiny French bulldog who had never been considered a guard dog became the unlikely protector of her family when a late-night encounter with a bear erupted in the backyard of their rural Northern California home.

Cassie, a 7.5-year-old French bulldog, reportedly put herself between owner Jeff Wilson and the bear as he was being attacked. Jeff and his wife, Mallory, both survived with significant injuries, but Cassie died days later despite undergoing emergency surgery.

A Single Bark Before the Encounter

Jeff and Mallory with their French bulldog, Cassie, who died saving them from a cinnamon bear last week.Gofundme

The incident happened Saturday at the Wilsons’ home in Trinity County.

Jeff and Mallory were inside when Cassie suddenly barked once. Jeff went outside to investigate the disturbance, with Cassie following him onto the deck.

As Cassie stepped down, a cinnamon-colored black bear emerged from behind the patio furniture. The animal attacked Jeff and knocked him to the ground.

Mallory, unaware of what was happening, heard the commotion and came outside. She was then attacked as well, suffering serious injuries to her head, face and body.

According to Rachel Moscon, a longtime friend of the couple who later organized a GoFundMe on their behalf, Cassie tried to protect Jeff during the encounter.

“Cassie threw herself between Jeff and the bear in an effort to protect him,” Moscon said.

Couple Fought to Get Cassie Back

At one point, the bear grabbed Cassie in its mouth and began moving away with her.

Mallory threw a chair at the animal, prompting it to release the dog. Jeff then pushed a patio heater toward the bear, and it eventually fled.

Jeff later said he believed the animal may have become frightened after finding itself cornered between the home’s small fence and an open gate.

“I think the bear was startled by us just as much as we were startled by it,” he said.

The family rushed Cassie for emergency treatment. She underwent surgery for multiple bite wounds and deep cuts along her spine.

Two days later, there appeared to be reason for optimism. Cassie began walking again and was drinking water on her own, giving the couple hope that their beloved pet might recover.

By the following morning, however, Cassie had died from her injuries.

‘She Was Just Our Sweet Indoor Lap Baby’

Mallory sustained serious injuries to her head and face, a broken hand and additional bite and puncture wounds.Gofundme

Moscon said Jeff suffered two broken ribs along with numerous bite and claw wounds. Mallory suffered serious injuries to her head and face, a broken hand and additional bite and puncture wounds.

For the Wilsons, however, the loss of Cassie added another devastating dimension to an already traumatic encounter.

Mallory said Cassie had never been expected to protect anyone.

The French bulldog, Cassie, died of her injuries two days after an emergency surgery on Sept 19.Gofundme

“She was never meant to be a hero, she was not our guard dog. She was just our sweet indoor lap baby,” she said.

Moscon similarly described Cassie as a deeply loved member of the Wilson family who reacted instinctively when Jeff was in danger.

The couple had chosen rural Northern California partly because they wanted to live closer to nature and wildlife. Despite what happened, they said they do not view the encounter as a reason to condemn the animals that share the region.

Jeff and Mallory are recovering from injuries after being attacked by a cinnamon bear.Gofundme

They described the incident as an extraordinarily unusual and unprovoked encounter that they could never have anticipated.

As Jeff and Mallory continue recovering from their injuries, they are also mourning the little dog they never expected to become their protector — and who, when danger suddenly appeared in their own backyard, placed herself between her family and a bear.