A California couple reports that they fend off a black bear attacking their dogs near their home using improvised tools, according to officials and police statements shared by multiple outlets. Police say the incident begins when a woman hears barking and sees a black bear fighting with one of her dogs in front of the couple’s house. Officials report that the woman tries to stop the bear, and at one point the bear is biting and clawing her as she intervenes to protect the animals. The couple then uses a water bottle and a hatchet to drive the bear away, as described in their account. After the attack, investigators respond to the scene to assess what happened and to determine the circumstances around the bear and the dogs. Authorities do not indicate, in the provided reports, any additional charges or broader investigation details. No single outlet provides different specifics beyond the overall sequence: the bear attacks a dog in front of the home, the woman attempts to intervene, and the couple manages to end the encounter with improvised measures.