A black bear attacked a woman in Minnesota, seriously injuring her. state officials said Saturday.
The state Department of Natural Resources said in a statement that the woman was staying in a cabin near Gull Lake when she left her dog outside early Friday. She went out to check on her dog and was attacked. The department said the bear hit the woman, “hitting her in several places” and then left the area.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Authorities said there were no reports of bear activity in the area prior to the attack. Wildlife officials believe the bear startled and attacked the woman’s dog as a means of self-defense.
“Dogs and bears don’t mix,” says one department Advisor. “To allow dogs to chase, lunge at, or bark at bears is to ask for trouble—don’t force the bear to defend itself.”
Officials said officers from the National Citizenship Administration are monitoring the area for bears that could pose a threat to public safety.
It was the tenth bear attack involving serious human injuries documented by the state’s National Citizenship Administration since 1987, according to the department. None of the victims died.
in Pennsylvania last week, A black bear attacked two young children who were playing in their driveway outside their home, officials said. Children have non-life-threatening injuries.
While black bears are rarely aggressive, the DNR in Minnesota has advised people to remove food sources outside their homes to avoid attracting bears to their property. If you see a bear before it notices you, give the bear an escape route. Stand still, then calmly walk away. If a bear spots you, back away slowly. Running can trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches you, hold your ground, wave your arms and yell until it leaves. Use bear spray if the bear keeps getting close.
The DNR advised if a black bear makes contact, don’t play dead. Fight back hard.
