BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources continues to look for a bear which mauled a woman in her back yard on Friday. The incident happened in the early morning hours as the woman was letting her two small dogs out into the backyard for a bathroom break around 1:30 a.m.
The incident was unusual behavior for a black bear, but also not unheard of.
“It proves wild animals are wild and very unpredictable,” said Captain Doug Benson of the West Virginia Natural Resources Police.
The bear was eating at a bird feeder and according to Benson appeared to be trying to escape the woman’s back yard. When it was blocked in its escape route by the woman and her dogs, it reacted instinctively.
“We try to avoid any close proximity between wild animals and humans because when you have a short distance things can turn and that seems to be what happened here,” Benson said. “The lady is incredibly lucky and we’re thankful it looks like she is going to make a full recovery.”
The DNR has set out traps trying to catch the bear, but hasn’t caught one thus far.
“As of now we have five of our culvert traps set out and so far we haven’t had any luck,” Benson said.
A trail cam picture of the bear in the backyard seemed to indicate it was a yearling male.