A 200-pound black bear attacked a couple having a picnic along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina last week after their unleashed dog “ran toward the bear while barking loudly,” the National Park Service said a Facebook statement.
The incident resulted in the closing of hiking trails, and the Park Service scheduled the bear for euthanasia. The National Park Service said in a statement that the bear was “likely aggravated by the dog” and “acted defensively.”
Over “the next several minutes,” the bear then attacked the couple repeatedly until they made it back inside their vehicle. They received treatment for non-life threatening injuries at a nearby hospital, while the dog escaped unscathed.
Blue Ridge Parkway is a natural bear sanctuary, and this time of year is crucial for their hibernation. Because of that, dogs must be on at least a six-foot leash at all times. If not, their humans face a $50 fine.
Leesa Brandon, a spokesman for Blue Ridge Parkway, said the couple will not face any charges at this time.
Blue Ridge Parkway’s Decision To Euthanize The Bear Explained
Responding to questions over their decision to euthanize the bear, the National Park Service explained in Facebook post.
“Thank you for your comments and obvious concern for parkway wildlife. When incidents such as this occur, our number one priority in responding is human safety,” the post said.
“While having an unleashed dog likely resulted in the bear’s initial reaction, the victims quickly called the dog back, retreated from the situation, and defended themselves, which was the right thing to do.”
However, they state that biologists from the National Park Service and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission had concerns that the bear “continued to attack” even after the dog went inside the vehicle and acted in an “uncharacteristically aggressive” manner.
They added, “this is not typical or characteristic defensive bear behavior and indicates a more predatory response” that poses “an intolerable level of risk” in such a public park.
“The decision to euthanize an animal of any kind in the park is never made lightly, and we are committed to identifying the correct bear through the use of DNA samples collected on-site at the time of the incident,” they continued.
A Warning To Park Visitors At Blue Ridge Parkway
The National Park Service issues a warning to all Blue Ridge Parkway visitors. They explained that this is prime bear hunting season due to winter rapidly approaching.
“Park visitors are reminded to take necessary precautions and be BearWise while in bear country, including properly following food storage regulations, keeping pets leashed and remaining at a safe viewing distance from bears,” the Park Service warns.
“If attacked by a black bear, rangers strongly recommend fighting back with any object available and remember that bears may view you and your pets as prey. Though rare, attacks on humans do occur, and can cause injuries or death.”
We at DogTime are big proponents of keeping your beloved pet leashed at all times on walks. This is especially true when there is a possibility of a wild animal encounter. Check out DogTime’s guide on what to do if you come across a wild animal on your walk here!
Have you and your dog ever encountered a bear or other wild animal? Do you always keep your dog on a leash during walks to prevent instances like this? Let us know in the comments below!
