A dog walker suffered minor injuries after an incident with a bear at Matheson Lake Regional Park earlier this week.
According to conservation officer Peter Pauwels, the incident took place on Monday, Aug. 27 around 1 p.m. when three people were walking their dogs off-leash at the park in Metchosin.
The dogs ran ahead and got into an altercation with a black bear, which based on its size was believed to be between two to three years old. The dogs then retreated to their owners, but the bear continued to chase them. During the pursuit, the bear knocked over one of the women, scratching her.
Pauwels said the bear may have gotten into a B次元官网网址渟cuffleB次元官网网址� with one of the dogs before taking off.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of places in the [Capital Regional District] that are considered bear country and in any of those itB次元官网网址檚 no advisable to have dogs off-leash or out of your control,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址� This can happen at many different places, not just Matheson Lake B次元官网网址� the Galloping Goose or East Sooke Park. Bears and dogs usually donB次元官网网址檛 get along.B次元官网网址�
RELATED: Two kids injured in separate cougar attacks in B.C.
Chris Doyle, deputy chief of the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service, said the incident serves as a good reminder to pet owners.
B次元官网网址淢any conflicts with bears are caused by off-leash dogs, so weB次元官网网址檙e reminding owners to control their pets, especially when in bear country,B次元官网网址� he said.
Residents who have concerning encounters with wildlife can call 1-877-952-7277.
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