Washington Woman Fends Off Black Bear Attack While Letting Her Dog Out

LEAVENWORTH, WA — A Chelan County woman is being treated at a hospital after facing off with a black bear Saturday morning, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

After leaving her home near Enchantment Park and Blackbird Island in Leavenworth to let her dog out at around 7 a.m., the woman was charged by an adult female black bear, the department said in a statement. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a Wenatchee hospital.

“We are extremely thankful that the victim is receiving medical care from this unfortunate encounter,” Captain Mike Jewell said. “Public safety is our priority; our officers and staff were quick to mobilize to locate the animal and secure the scene.”

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, later that morning, and with the help of a Karelian bear dog, an adult female black bear was found and “lethally removed” near where the incident occurred. The department added that two cubs, roughly nine months old, were also captured, assessed, and transported to a PAWS wildlife rehabilitation facility.

In Washington state, the only recorded fatal black bear attack on a human was reported in 1974, the department said. Since 1970, state authorities have recorded 19 other human-black bear encounters that resulted in a documented injury.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials offer the following advice to minimize the risk of injury if a bear is encountered:

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 so 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.