A black bear is seen in this undated WildSafeBC photo.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / WildSafeBC
Republished June 17, 2020 - 4:30 PM
Original Publication Date June 17, 2020 - 3:04 PM
The bear responsible for an attack on a mother and daughter yesterday near Prince George will not be euthanized, according conservation officer Sgt. Steve Ackles.
The incident took place yesterday, June 16, at around 1 p.m. about 50 kilometres northeast of Prince George.
The two women were walking their dogs in a deactivated logging area when one of the dogs startled a 150-pound black bear, which was feeding at the time, Ackles said.
“The bear lunged at the dog and engaged the dog, and the other dog engaged, and the bear saw one of the women standing there. She didn’t know if she fell or was knocked over by the bear, and doesn’t know if she was scratched intentionally by the bear or if it was trying to get at the dog,” he said.
The other woman was bitten on the arm when she tried to get in between the women and the bear. Both women were sent to the hospital and released later that day.
Based on how remote the location was and how the bear appeared to react in a defensive manner, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service will not be setting any traps or euthanizing any bears, he said.
“The bear backed off… the bear turned around and left on its own and they were able to walk back down and meet their companions,” Ackles said.
— This story was updated at 4:28 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2020 to include comment from the Conservation Officer Service.
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