A bear entered a Nipigon couple house, Ontario, on Tuesday night and attacked them, which took the family’s dog to contain the wild animal until the police arrived.
The bear entered the back door of the house when the couple opened her to let her dog out around 11 pm et, said Kim Rodak, a spokesman for the provincial police of the northwest of Ontario (OPP), he said Wednesday.
“At that time, the bear loaded or basically only entered,” he said.
In the midst of the attack, the couple escaped a bedroom and closed while calling 911 for help. The bear wandered around the house until somehow ended up in the basement, Rodak said.
The family dog kept the bear until the police arrived, he said.
“The dog simply became fashionable and kept barking the bear to keep it down there,” Rodak.
Couple, injured dog but will recover, according to the police
The couple was taken to the hospital with injuries that did not enhance life.
“Both suffered quite a few lacerations and bugs of the bear and were hospitalized, but they are expected to be released at some point today,” Rodak said.
The dog, which the owners describe as a mixed breed, was also injured.
“He received stitches and excellent veterinary care, and will be perfectly well,” said Rodak.
She said the officers who responded to the call had to kill the bear for public security.
The lack of berries can be driving bears closer to the city: mayor
Suzanne Kukko is the mayor of Nipigon, a city with a population of approximately 1,500 to about 120 kilometers east of Thunder Bay.
Kukko said residents were already nervous since bears seem to be bolder.
“People have been really scared, worried about going out alone, going for a walk and things like that.”
Kukko has seen many bears during the almost 20 years he has lived in Nipigon, but this is the first attack he is aware, he said.
The mayor also said that many people along the north coast of Superior reported bears sightings in the last three weeks.
Bears often walk long distances in autumn while looking for food while trying to get fat before hibernar.
Kukko said some believe that bears are approaching the city of the usual because they are struggling to find food.
“Due to our lack of blueberries this season, we assume that it is where all the activity of the bear in the city comes from,” he said.
“I know that many people in the city also feel sorry for them. It’s really sad that they are so hungry.”
Tips for reducing bear’s confrontations
The Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) also received several bears reports throughout the city in recent weeks.
In a Facebook publication, the service suggests not feeding or approaching animals and maintaining food waste in safe containers.
“If you find a bear, slowly go back while keeping it in view. If a bear is in a tree, do not surround it.”
If a bear is aggressive or raises an immediate security threat, call the police, says the post.
The meetings that are not emergency should be informed to the Bear Wise line of the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-866-514-2327.
