A 79-year-old woman sustained substantial, but non-life-threatening injuries that required stitches after a bear attack while out with her dog near the archery club in Smithers.
Conservation officer Ron Leblanc said the Wednesday (Aug. 2) incident was a defensive attack as the woman and her off-leash dog startled the bear.
B次元官网网址淭he bear wasnB次元官网网址檛 doing anything it shouldnB次元官网网址檛, it was just out eating berries and salmon,B次元官网网址� Leblanc said.
Paul Murphy, the womanB次元官网网址檚 son, said his mom is an experienced hiker and knows how to avoid bear attacks. She was on her way off the archery club grounds when she noticed the bear grazing on the lawn inside the gate.
B次元官网网址淗er dog was unleashed, but was also B次元官网网址榓t heelB次元官网网址� not running around all over the place drawing in bears,B次元官网网址� Paul said.
She decided to take an alternate route off the property through a brushed trail to avoid the bear. However, when she exited the trail, the bear was right there.
B次元官网网址淭hey were both obviously shocked and the confrontation ensued,B次元官网网址� Paul said noting there was literally two-feet between them at that point.
B次元官网网址淪he often carries bear spray but did not have one that day as she had never seen bears there before. She defended herself by screaming and holding out her right arm.B次元官网网址�
The bear ultimately ran off into the bush, but left the woman with a large gash, 10 cm long and up to five cm deep, on her right arm, as well as three large scratches on her chest and a bite on her right hand that penetrated through the fleshy part between her thumb and index finger.
B次元官网网址淪he also agrees that while serious, the bear was not predatory, just reacting to being surprised B次元官网网址� she did not want the bear put down,B次元官网网址� Paul said.
In such cases, the Conservation Officer Service does not kill or relocate bears, Leblanc said, noting that while there have been other sightings, there is no indication this two-or three-year-old black bear has been into any unnatural attractants or is habituated to humans.
B次元官网网址淚t was one four-legged animal running into another four-legged animal, the bear saw the dog as a threat and attacked,B次元官网网址� Leblanc said.
The COS put up a sign on the gate asking the public to steer clear of the area located off Tatlow Road just past the fairgrounds for a couple of days to give the bear a chance to move on.
The service also reminds people to always remain aware and cautious when out in nature as northwestern B.C. is undeniably bear country.
B次元官网网址淚 would like to emphasize when in bear territory, have your dogs on a leash and make noise to avoid startling any bears in the area,B次元官网网址� Leblanc said. B次元官网网址淎lso, having bear spray and knowing how to use it.B次元官网网址�
Paul took umbrage with the implication that the dog may have caused the attack.
B次元官网网址淚n this case, I feel the dog saved her life in all likelihood.B次元官网网址�
Sightings of bears or other wild animals, particularly if visiting unnatural attractants or acting aggressively should be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-RAPP or online at rapp.bc.ca.
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