5-Year-Old Girl Attacked, Dragged By Black Bear In Colorado

GRAND JUNCTION, CO -- A 5-year-old girl is recovering Sunday after she was attacked and dragged by a black bear in Grand Junction. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials said the incident happened overnight in East Orchard Mesa, above the Colorado River corridor.

The victim's mother told CPW officers she heard her child screaming around 2:30 a.m. Sunday when she saw a large black bear drag her daughter. The mother said the bear dropped the girl after she began screaming at the animal.

The child apparently went outside to investigate noises in the yard that she thought might have been her dog, the mother told officers.

The child was taken to St. Mary's Hospital where she has serious injuries, officials said.

CPW officers are investigating the incident with the help of federal wildlife services personnel.

Nearby residents are asked to secure trash, keep pet food inside and immediately report any bear sightings in this neighborhood, or any residential area.

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