WOMAN ATTACKED BY BEAR

(Havelock Belmont Methuen Township, ON) – On Sunday, September 29 at approximately 4 pm. Officers from the Peterborough County OPP were called to the 7th Line of Belmont in response to a report of a women who had been attacked by a bear.

The OPP learned that a 53 year old Peterborough woman was walking her dogs on a trail off the 7th Line of Belmont south of Highway 7. At this time she encountered three black bears. One of the bears became aggressive and attacked the woman biting and mauling her. The woman’s dogs were also injured as they came to the woman’s assistance eventually frightening the bears away.

The victim was able to make her way to safety and call 911 from local residence.

OPP officers attended the scene with Emergency Response Paramedics and the victim was taken to Campbellford Memorial Hospital for non- life threatening injuries.

The area was searched and local neighbours were advised of the bears in the area.

Officers were unable to locate the bears at this time. The Ministry of Natural Resources were notified of the incident and are assisting in the incident for public safety.

The Public is reminded that bears usually avoid humans, but they are attracted to urban and semi-urban areas to get food. They will topple bird feeders, ransack barbecues, raid garbage cans and even try to enter buildings. When they learn that they can find food where people live, bears will return again and again.

While bear attacks and human injuries are rare, we need to be aware and prevent attracting animals. Garbage, bird and pet food, and smells like grease and food residue on barbecues attract bears to our communities.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has outlined several safety facts around bears you encounter.

Conflicts with Bears

Be aware of bears on your property

If a bear is damaging your property, breaking into your home or threatening human safety, call 911 or your local police.
If a bear is in a tree near you, leave it alone. Remove people and dogs from the area. The bear will leave when it feels safe.

If you encounter a bear:

If the bear is not paying any attention to you, slowly and quietly back away while watching the bear.
If the bear knows you are there, raise your arms to let the bear know you are a human. Speak in a firm but non-threatening voice while looking at the bear and backing away.
If a bear huffs, pops its jaw or stomps its paws on the ground, it wants you to back away and give it space.
If a bear closely approaches you, drop any food you are carrying and continue backing up.
If the bear continues to try to approach, stand your ground and be aggressive — yell, stand tall, wave your arms and throw objects, use a whistle or air horn, pepper spray or anything else to threaten or distract the bear.
Do not run or climb a tree.
If the bear makes contact, fight back with everything you have.

A landowner may humanely kill bears that are damaging or about to damage their property. Firearm regulations and bylaws must be followed.
If you dispatch a bear in protection of property, either as the landowner or the agent, and do not take possession of the carcass, you must notify the local MNR office.

For more information the public is encouraged to take a moment to read the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources attachment to familiarize themselves with larger wild animals should they have an encounter out on the numerous trails Please click on and visit;

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_168419.html?CSB_ic-name=noFlash&CSB_ic-info=livingWithWildlife-landing_Eng

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