Family returns home after bear attack

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida family have returned home after fighting off a bear attack in Tennessee.

Eight-year-old Evan Pala had quite the welcoming party Thursday night at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, after surviving a bear attack in the Tennessee mountains.

John Pala and his two sons were hiking in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park earlier this week, when they came face to face with an aggressive black bear. "The bear was staring at me," said Evan.

Evan has staples in his head and stitches on his neck and arms, as well as the bear's teeth marks engraved in the skin on his back, as a result of the attack. "That's where he had him in his mouth, he was taking him away," said John, Evan's father.

John described the brutal attack, saying he would save his son again if he had to. "Got him around the face, grabbed him by the jaws, grabbed him by the face, we threw him off and did it again. I'd do it 100 more times if I had to," said John.

Evan was dragged by a black bear about the size of his older brother, Alex Pala. However, Evan's father and brother were determined to get the bear to runaway. "I started throwing sticks and stones trying to scare it off, so it doesn't get Evan a second or third time. Trying to keep it away from his as long I can so he can get away," said Alex.

Evan's mom said that he and his brother are not allowed to go back into the woods until they're 21. However, the boys say they are not interested.

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