Woman attacked by bear after off-leash dog chased cub on B.C. trail

Caution tape is seen at the Shuswap Memorial Cemetery Trails following a bear attack. (Credit: Castanet/Luc Rempel)

A woman was attacked by a black bear near Salmon Arm, B.C., over the weekend following a confrontation between her dog and the animal’s cub.

The woman was walking her dog off-leash along the Shuswap Memorial Cemetery Trails when they encountered the two bears Sunday morning, according to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

“The dog chased the cub up a tree,” the BCCOS wrote in a social media post. “The bear attacked the woman, resulting in minor injuries.”

After the attack, the bears left the area and the woman made her way to the trailhead, where an ambulance took her to hospital for treatment.

She has since been released, the BCCOS said.

Officers determined the attack was defensive in nature, and will be making “no efforts to locate or capture the bears,” according to the post.

The trail remained closed Monday, however, as officers continued to monitor bear activity in the area.

The BCCOS said it will be working with Salmon Arm officials to determine an appropriate reopening time.