California Man, 73, Punches 300-pound Bear to Defend his Dog
MEADOW VISTA, Calif., May 1 (UPI) — Don’t mess with Carl Moore’s “babies.” Even if you happen to be a bear.
A 73-year-old California man who punched a 300-pound bear that appeared to be attacking his dog said he would do it again to protect his beloved pets.
Carl Moore, of Meadow Vista in Placer County, said he heard his Chihuahua, Lacy, whimpering in fear last week outside his home. He came out to find the bear trying to get past a low gate on his deck.
Moore said he immediately decided to show the bear he was not afraid.
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“The man or beast that I run from ain’t been born, and his momma’s already dead,” Moore told KHTK-TV.
Moore said he ran straight toward the bear with his arms raised.
“I raised both hands in the air and I cussed at him, ‘Rrraaaaaaa! Get out of here you [expletive], and he looked at me like ‘Go eff yourself,'” he said.
Moore said the bear retreated up a ramp leading to the deck before turning to face him.
“Boom, I hit him good,” Moore told KXTL-TV.
John Sargent, who lives in Moore’s home and works for his contracting company, witnessed the incident.
“He whips to the right and hit him with a right… it was crazy,” Sargent said.
Moore said he’s no stranger to using his fists — he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, spent time as a boxer and worked as a bouncer in Texas bars.
“This big right hand has sent a lot of people to the floor,” Moore said.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials estimated the bear, which ran off after being on the receiving end of Moore’s haymaker, weighs about 300 pounds.
Moore said he would repeat his actions to defend his dogs, which he refers to as his “babies.”
Fish and Wildlife Officials said Moore, who believes some of his chickens have fallen victim to the bear, could get a permit to shoot the animal — but Moore said he is not interested.
“If it comes back I’ll call 911 and let the sheriff’s do it because I don’t want to shoot no animal,” Moore said.
