Bear Attack in Pennsylvania: Two Children Treated for Bites and Scratches, Officials Euthanize Aggressive Animal After Assault

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald May 28, 11:50 pm

A terrifying bear attack that took place last week in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, resulted in the injuries of two small children. Authorities claim that a bear attacked them and was later killed after being apprehended. The incident appeared to occur on a routine Monday and included a five-year-old and a one-year-old playing in the driveway of their home in Wright Township.

According to Fox News, the bear attacked the kids, biting and scratching them, turning their innocent game into a terrifying encounter. They received prompt medical assistance when they were hurried to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Fortunately, they were eventually freed after receiving treatment and are now on the road to recovery. The Pennsylvania Game Commission was quick to respond to the situation. In the vicinity of the attack, two bear traps were deftly positioned with the main goal of catching the offending bear.

DNA Testing Reveals Female Bear Responsible for Assault

After a diligent and relentless effort, the Game Commission announced a breakthrough on Friday. A male and a female bear were successfully caught, according to CBS News.

DNA testing revealed that the bears were involved in the incident. The DNA samples that had been previously obtained from the children's clothing after the attack were a vital piece of evidence. By comparing these samples to DNA samples collected from the bears that were caught, investigators were able to pinpoint the precise bear that committed the vicious attack. The female bear was the culprit, according to the test findings.

The Game Commission made the painful choice to put the female bear to death in light of this information. The male bear, who was transported to a more remote area as a precaution, was not found to be at fault. Although bear assaults are extremely uncommon in Pennsylvania, the Game Commission puts public safety first.

Euthanizing bears involved in such incidents serves as a precautionary measure against potential future attacks. However, it's vital to keep in mind that rather than being the consequence of an innate propensity for hostility, these attacks frequently occur when bears feel surrounded and have no viable escape path.

Pennsylvania Game Commission's Dedication to Wildlife Preservation and Public Safety

In order to conduct rabies testing and ensure the safety of both people and wildlife, it was also essential to put the bear to death. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's executive director, Bryan Burhans, stressed the organization's dedication to safeguarding and maintaining the state's wildlife over a lengthy period of time.

According to FOX 8, their efforts over the previous 125 years have resulted in the astonishing recovery and flourishing of the bear population, with an estimated 15,000 bears across the state. This success has also paved the way for regulated bear hunting opportunities across most counties.

The Game Commission places a high priority on maintaining public safety, even though it is never easy to decide whether to put to death a bear that has attacked. By acting quickly and forcefully in this situation, they feel they have done their part to uphold their obligation. Even though bear assaults are uncommon, they serve as a reminder of the irrationality of animal interactions.

Maintaining a balance between conservation efforts and ensuring the community's welfare is a priority for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. They try to preserve a peaceful environment for both people and bears in Pennsylvania by rigorously managing the bear population and promoting responsible cohabitation.