Two separate incidents involving bear attacks on individuals have occurred in Connecticut and Maine recently, leaving a 64-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man injured. According to officials, both incidents were the result of the bears being chased by dogs.
The first incident took place on Friday around 11:30 a.m. in Maine when Lynn Kelly, a 64-year-old woman, was working in her garden. Her dog began barking and dashed into the nearby woods, closely pursued by a black bear. Kelly bravely confronted the bear, delivering a punch to its nose when it stood up. However, in the process, she sustained injuries to her right hand as the bear bit and punctured her wrist. The bear quickly retreated back into the woods. Kelly was promptly taken to a hospital for treatment, while her dog remained unharmed. State officials categorized this incident as a “provoked attack” and have since set up two live-capture traps in an attempt to locate the bear.
The second incident occurred the following day at approximately 11:15 a.m. in Litchfield, Connecticut. A bear was spotted exploring some bird feeders on a porch when a dog noticed it and began chasing after the bear. In response, the 65-year-old homeowner, whose identity was not disclosed publicly, intervened. Unfortunately, the bear attacked both the dog and the homeowner. While the homeowner sustained injuries, they were not deemed life-threatening. Medical attention was provided to the injured homeowner, and the dog was taken to a veterinary hospital. The bear retreated into the nearby woods following the attack.
In regions known to have bear populations, dog owners are advised to walk their pets using non-retractable leashes. Additionally, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife cautioned against coming between a dog and a bear. In light of these recent incidents, officials also recommended refraining from keeping bird feeders outside from late March through November, as bears tend to be more active during this period.
For those planning to grill outdoors during the holiday weekend, wildlife officials advised cleaning barbecues after use and storing them inside a garage or shed. It is essential to avoid leaving unattended food or trash bags outside, and garbage should be stored in secure, airtight containers within a garage or enclosed area.