A 65-year-old man is attacked by a bear in his own yard after being lured inside by an everyday garden object

A CONNECTICUT man and his dog were attacked by a bear over the weekend after the wild animal was attracted to a common garden object on his porch.

Dave Monschein, 65, was injured trying to save his dog after a bear stepped onto his porch Saturday morning, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

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At around 11:15 a.m., the bear peeked into the bird feeder on the man’s porch in Litchfield.

Monschein’s dog Cooper then began chasing the bear.

At this point, the bear began attacking the dog.

Monschein then intervened and began to fight back.

The bear finally fled, and the man and dog suffered only minor injuries.

Monschein’s wife Andrea told local news that her husband is now home from the hospital and recovering from a fractured left hand and multiple stab wounds and scratches.

Meanwhile, the wild dog is healing from several cuts and stab wounds.

She described the bear as a female black bear and said WTNH that she has seen the animal in her backyard before.

“It was so quick, it only took 60 seconds,” she said.

“Cooper attacked her. If you are attacked as a mother, you protect your babies and would do anything to protect your babies and yourself.”

“I don’t think she’s a troublesome bear. I think she just wanted to protect.”

DEEP spokesman Paul Copleman said CT Post that the bear was attracted to the birdhouse by the house.

The spokesman explained that birdhouses should only be put up between November and mid-March, when the bears are hibernating.

If homeowners keep them outside in the summer, they risk attracting bears or tricking the wild animals into associating humans with a food source.

Other household items — like grill grates and garbage cans — should be kept clean and secure to avoid contact with bears as well.