Wildlife officers in Washington state have euthanised an adult black bear and a juvenile after a woman was seriously injured in an attack at her home near Index.
The woman was walking her leashed dog in her backyard along Index-Galena Road shortly before 8am on Sunday, 25 October, when a bear approached from behind and knocked her to the ground.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the animal bit and clawed at her before she managed to reach her house and call 911. She was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was discharged on Tuesday.
Two bears found in tree after attack
Officers searched the area with dogs and set a trap after residents reported sightings of a large adult bear and a younger animal, believed to be a mother and cub.
There had been several recent reports of bears approaching homes in Index, including animals coming within a few feet of porches, breaking into locked sheds and dragging rubbish across lawns.
On Tuesday, officers were called after the two bears were seen in a tree behind a local business. A neighbour had reported seeing bears searching through bins about 20 minutes earlier.
Wildlife officials found the animals in the tree with rubbish beneath them and euthanised both bears. Their remains have been removed and will undergo disease testing.
The WDFW said state policy requires the lethal removal of bears involved in attacks on people. It added that relocation is rarely successful once bears have become accustomed to human food or rubbish, as they can lose their fear of people and return to the same areas.
“Decisions to lethally remove wildlife are never easy,” the department said, adding that such actions are taken in consultation with biologists, wildlife conflict specialists, police officers and other experts.
Officials are urging residents to secure rubbish bins, keep pet and livestock food indoors, remove bird feeders and clean barbecues. Bears search actively for food during the autumn as they prepare for winter.
People who encounter a bear are advised to stand upright, speak calmly, back away slowly and never run. Residents should keep pets on leads, make noise to alert the animal to their presence and carry bear spray where appropriate.
