Bear attack: Woman walking dog mauled in Washington

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — A woman was walking her dog in a neighborhood just outside the mountain town of Leavenworth when she was attacked by a black bear early Saturday.

According to KIRO-TV, the bear jumped out of the woods and attacked her.

“She was just walking along and apparently a bear had jumped out at her,” said Chelan County Sheriff’s Office chief of patrol, Adam Musgrove. “The attack lasted, from what I understand, just a few seconds. She said she didn’t even really get a really good look at the bear itself.”

The woman was able to return home on her own following the ordeal, according to KIRO. Emergency services were contacted around 7 a.m., roughly 45 minutes after the attack. She was later transported to a nearby hospital with “significant but non-life-threatening injuries,” according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials later located an adult sow black bear near the area where the incident occurred, with help from a Karelian bear dog. Fish and Wildlife personnel killed and then removed the bear, according to a statement posted to their website.

Two cubs, approximately nine months old, were captured, assessed and transported to a PAWS wildlife rehabilitation facility, officials said.

While black bear attacks are considered rare, wildlife officials shared tips on their website to minimize the risk of injuries in an encounter:

“In general bears avoid people, but they’re naturally curious animals. If a bear walks toward you, identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and talking in a low voice. Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Don’t run from a bear. WDFW recommends making noise and leashing pets while hiking. Be aware of your surroundings as to not accidentally startle a bear. While recreating, WDFW recommends carrying bear spray that is readily accessible and knowing how to use it. More information on how to use bear spray is available on WDFW’s blog.”

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