Woman mauled by bear near Salmon Arm disputes official account
Attack victim says her dog did not provoke the bear; credits quick thinking and her pet's barking with saving her life.
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A woman attacked by a bear on June 22 near Salmon Arm is challenging the BC Conservation Officer Service's account of the incident, saying her dog did not provoke the animal and likely saved her life.
The attack occurred around 10 a.m. at the Shuswap Memorial Cemetery Trails when the woman rounded a corner and encountered a bear cub about 15 feet away. Her dog was still behind her, sniffing in the brush at the time. The cub scampered up a tree, and when she called her dog over, the mother bear emerged from the brush and swiped at the animal, missing narrowly.
The bear then charged at the woman. She fell into a culvert and found herself on her back in a vulnerable position as the bear attacked repeatedly—clawing her left shoulder and right side. The woman said her only instinct was to try hitting the bear in the nose. Her dog's barking seemed to momentarily distract the animal during the assault. After charging at least six times, the bear eventually returned to the tree where her cub was, then climbed it and stayed there.
The woman said she survived because of her "wits" and quick defensive action. The BC Conservation Officer Service initially stated the woman's off-leash dog had treed the cub, but the woman disputes this account. She was treated for her injuries.
