66-year-old Larry Yepez survived a bear attack in northern California. Yepez suffered lacerations and puncture wounds in his head, legs, arms, hand, feet, and abdomen, but as able to drive himself to the hospital.

“Mr. Yepez is a very tough individual.  He is a Vietnam veteran and is used to defending himself in situations. He did an amazing job of survival. It could have turned out a lot worse.” – Frank Milazzo, the game warden for Mariposa County investigating the incident, told the Merced Sun-Star.

The real hero of this story is Yepez tiny yorkshire terrier named Benji who keep nipping at the bear giving Yepez just enough time to fight back. 

The California Deptarment Fish and Wildlife and the US Wildlife Service are conducing an investigation into the bear attack in Midpines.

“Due to the severity of the attack, and the need to collect forensic evidence from the bear, it will be humanely destroyed when found.” – Cal Dept of Fish and Wildlife