The California Man Hits The 350-pound Bear That Attacked His Pet Dog.

The only species in California are black bears, with an estimated population of 30,000 to 40,000, according to the state’s Department of Fish and Game. Adult females can weigh 100-200 pounds, while adult males weigh around 150-350 pounds, it says.

While it has been days since the attack, Bentham said a black bear has returned to the scene of the incident multiple times since. “It made an attack and had its food and it’s food got taken from it and it wants it back, I feel like,” he told CBS 13.

But the pit bull owner had no regrets about his life-saving actions last week, adding: “If it was your kid, what would you do? That’s my kid, I would die for my dog.”

The state wildlife agency has said black bears commonly eat ants and other insects in summer but as omnivores will munch on “whatever seems edible.” They can adapt to a human presence and are often attracted into an area by pet food or garbage.

It advises: “If you encounter a bear, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear as large as possible. If attacked, fight back. Do not ‘play dead.'”