A woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a black bear on her rural property near Pemberton on Thursday morning.
According to the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS), the incident happened shortly after 7 a.m. while the woman was walking with her off-leash dog through tall grass. The bear bit and scratched her before backing off. Her dog was not injured.
Conservation officers interviewed the victim and examined the site but did not see a bear in the area. Investigators determined the attack was defensive in nature, likely the result of a surprise encounter in dense brush. There had been no reports of aggressive bear behaviour in the area before the incident.
Given the circumstances and the property’s proximity to forested land, the COS said there are no plans to capture or kill the bear. Officers will continue to monitor the area.
The COS reminded residents to take precautions when in bear country, such as making noise, keeping pets leashed, and being alert in areas with thick vegetation. People are also urged to secure attractants like garbage, pet food, and birdseed.
Bear encounters and aggressive behaviour can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277.
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