El Dorado County man survives black bear attack

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) -- An El Dorado County man says he's lucky to be alive after a black bear charged at him.

Bart Emry says when his dog nudged him early Monday morning, he thought she needed to go to the bathroom.

But when he opened the door, he came face-to-face with a 350-pound male black bear eating from the garbage can. Without warning, the bear rushed at Emry.

"Tried to kick the door closed with this leg, it swiped my leg right here," he said. "And I was able to slam the door shut it its face. His face hit right here."

Emery says his leg is fine, but he's worried because the bear returned the next day.

He reported it to game wardens and says from now on, he'll make sure all the trash is locked safely in the garage.