A 12-year-old boy fatally shot a black bear as it was mauling his father in the US state of Wisconsin, say wildlife officials. Owen Beierman, 12, took aim at the bruin as it pinned down his dad while they were on a legal hunting trip.

Ryan Beierman told The Minnesota Star Tribune the bear pierced its fangs into his forehead during the attack. He had to get 23 stitches.

Ryan Beierman, 43, of River Falls, told the Star Tribune that he and his son, Owen, 12, went hunting near Siren. They were in a tree stand above a bait station when Owen spotted a black bear.