SEATTLE — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife killed a black bear Saturday morning, after it injured a woman near a park in downtown Leavenworth.
The woman is receiving medical care for her injuries, WDFW said.
The incident occurred, according to WDFW, at a residence next to Enchantment Park, which is on the banks of the Wenatchee River and just a couple of blocks from U.S. Highway 2, which runs through the mountain hamlet on the east slopes of the Cascades.
The incident happened sometime around 7:30 a.m., according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, which called it an “attack.”
A Fish and Wildlife team killed the bear with the assistance of a Karelian bear dog, a black-and-white Finnish breed bred to hunt large, aggressive game.
WDFW has used the dogs since 2003. They are used to respond to complaints of problem bears and mountain lions and to assist in “hard releases,” a process that’s supposed to restore a bear’s fear of humans.
They also help capture bears and mountain lions, so they can be fitted with radio collars, monitored and studied.
Bears generally avoid people, but are naturally curious, WDFW writes. The agency recommends making noise and leashing pets while hiking in bear territory.
“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,” the agency writes. “Back away, avoiding direct eye contact. Don’t run from a bear.”
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