Man punches bear to protect pet chihuahua

A 73-year-old former marine took on a 300 pound bear in defence of his precious pet dogs.

Carl Moore, from Placer County in California, said the bear was trying to get onto the deck outside his house when he heard his Chihuahua, Lacy, screaming, Fox40 reports.

The incident was also witness by an employee who lives at the house, John Sargeant, who said: "Carl just blasted him."

He added that he couldn't believe what he saw, saying: "He whips to the right and hit him with a right...it was crazy."

According to CBS Sacramento, John said that the bear was a bit shorter than Carl but put up a strong fight.

Carl said: "The man or beast that I run from ain't been born, and his momma's already dead".

Even though Mr Moore, who is a boxer and bouncer in a country and western bar in Texas, has lost three dozen chickens recently, he firmly believes the bear was trying to attack his dogs.

He said: "I ain't letting no bear eat my puppies."

Adding: "This big right hand has sent a lot of people to the floor."

The local Fish and Wildlife rangers have said that because the bear is eating Carl's chickens, he would be able to get a permit to kill the bear.

But Moore isn't keen on this idea, preferring to leave it to the authorities, saying: "If it comes back I'll call 911 and let the sheriff's do it because I don't want to shoot no animal."

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