Bear attacks woman walking dogs, Washington officials say. Then wrong bear is killed

Helena Wegner
·2 min read

A woman was walking her dogs when she was attacked by a female bear in northeastern Washington, officials said.

Wildlife officers looked for the animal and ended up killing the wrong bear, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a Sept. 2 news release.

The woman was hiking with her dogs Sept. 1 on private property near Mink Creek Road in Ferry County, which is near Kettle Falls, officials said.

Her dogs then got between two black bears, officials said.

The female bear charged at her and left her with non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. She was taken to a hospital.

Wildlife officers tried to track down the animal.

They found a 120-pound bear in the area and killed it, officials said, but officers realized they killed a male bear instead and not the one they were looking for.

The wildlife officers couldn’t find the female bear and gave up after the landowner told them to, officials said.

Officials said the black bear meat was donated to the U.S. Air Force.

Kettle Falls is about an 80-mile drive north from Spokane.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

  • Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

  • Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

  • Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

  • Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

  • Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

  • Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

  • Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

  • Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

  • Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

  • Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

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