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.

A 12-year-old boy saved his father's life during a bear attack earlier this month in western Wisconsin, shooting and killing the bear.The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the attack happened east of Siren in southern Burnett County.

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