A black bear had to be put down after biting a Shuswap man who was trying to save his dog. The BC Conservation Service says the incident happened at approximately 2:30 p.m. on June 30 at a trailer park in rural Salmon Arm. “The man heard his puppy barking in his yard and went outside to investigate. He turned a corner and ran into a black bear with his pet. The bear noticed and bit the man,” the agency said in an email. The man received medical treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The puppy was taken to a veterinary clinic, but did not survive. “Conservation officers attended the trailer park multiple times as they worked to locate the offending bear,” BCCOS says. A bear was captured in the area on July 4th, and based on the location, witness description and behavior, conservation officers are confident they captured the bear. Due to the risk to public safety, the bear was euthanized. “COS works with trailer park management and residents to help provide education, awareness and safety tips to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Providing attractants such as litter, pet food and bird seed is the single best way to help keep people and bears safe,” BCCOS said. For more information on how to reduce conflicts with bears, click here.
