Florida Man Fights Bear While Trying to Protect His Dogs From Attack

Astonishing footage has emerged of a man confronting a black bear on the porch of his house in Daytona Beach, Florida.

A video of the man grappling with the potentially deadly animal while attempting to protect his dogs has been widely circulated on social media. The clip can be watched here.

In the footage, which was picked up on a Ring doorbell security camera, a man in a day-glo t-shirt and gray trousers can be seen quickly crouching down to grapple with the bear on the porch of a property.

Several loud noises can be heard during the ensuing struggle with the man succeeding in fending off the bear before dragging a bench along the entrance to prevent any re-entry.

According to a news release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The man was reportedly left with non-life-threatening injuries following the attack. His dogs weren't injured.

"FWC bear biologists and law enforcement officers immediately responded to the scene and are attempting to capture the bear," the FWC said in the news release, which was quoted by Fox 35. "Per FWC policy, staff will humanely kill the bear if captured since it poses a threat to human safety." Newsweek has contacted the FWC for comment.

The incident comes just over a week after a woman was attacked by a bear while out walking her dogs in Florida.

The woman, named Aydee, told a local news outlet she was "lucky to be alive" after the incident, which happened in DeBary on the evening of January 13, just moments after she had left her home with her dogs. The bear has since been killed by the authorities.

There has been a notable increase in the black bear population over the past 20 years. Figures published by the FWC in 2017 showed a 53% increase in the black bear population since 2002, with the statewide total standing at 4,050 as of five years ago.

In the event someone encounters a bear at close range, the FWC recommends they remain standing upright and speak to the bear in a calm and assertive voice. They say it is important to "back up slowly toward a secure area while making sure to leave the bear a clear escape route."

Eye contact should be avoided as bears "may view this as aggressive behavior," while it is important to "stop and hold your ground" if it appears as though your movement is irritating the bear. Do not run, make any sudden movements or play dead, with the FWC noting that "black bears eat things that play dead or are dead."

However, in the event that a black bear does attack, they say it is important to "fight back aggressively" much like the man in the video. "People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using rocks, sticks, or even their bare hands," the FWC wrote.

However, they would also advise against taking "unnecessary risks" to come to the aid of a pet or other animal. In that situation, leave it to FWC officers to handle things.