Thu Sep 19 08:24:00 UTC 2024: ## 12-Year-Old Boy Saves Father From Bear Attack With Rifle Shot
**Siren, Wisconsin** – A 12-year-old boy, Owen Beierman, has been hailed a hero after he shot and killed a black bear that was mauling his father during a hunting trip in Wisconsin.
The incident occurred on September 6th near Siren, when Owen and his father, Ryan Beierman, 43, encountered a 90kg black bear. Owen initially wounded the animal, but it later reappeared, charging at Ryan and attacking him.
Ryan, despite firing multiple shots from his pistol, was unable to stop the bear. He sustained several injuries including a gash to his cheek, puncture wounds, and a cut arm.
“I started pistol-whipping him and it felt like I was striking a brick wall,” Ryan told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “The bear then went for my head. All I could see were his claws and teeth. I lifted my right arm to block him. I remember the first bite. I heard a crunch. The bear was still attacking. He wasn’t going to leave me.”
“The bear was fighting for its life, and I was fighting for mine,” Ryan added. “I’m punching and kicking and flailing around. That’s when I saw a flash from the muzzle of Owen’s rifle.”
Owen’s quick thinking and accurate shot saved his father’s life, ending the attack which Ryan estimates lasted about 45 seconds. A neighbor drove them to the hospital, where Ryan received treatment for his injuries.
Wisconsin conservation officials confirmed that the hunt was legal.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of encountering wildlife in the wild, but also showcases the bravery of a young boy who acted quickly to protect his father.
First Piper 