There has been another bear attack at Forests for the World in Prince George.
Tony Manuge says he was walking his two dogs in the park on Saturday “a little bit beyond where the road goes up to the water tank, heading down the hill” when a black bear sow exploded out of the underbrush.
“She was coming at me, and I stayed facing her backing up and Charlie (his 8 year old lab) went at her to protect me.”
“The bear managed to get Charlie around the hind haunches, and I couldn’t let my dog die on my behalf so I went back and approached the bear screaming.”
Manuge says he grabbed Charlie by the collar and backed away. His other dog, a four month old pup, had fled down the road. The bear bluff charged a couple more times before retreating into the woods with her cubs.
The incident occurred at about 2:40pm – social media initially incorrectly indicated it took place at Ginters Meadow. As a result of the confrontation, Charlie spent the night at the vet with four puncture wounds and scratches. He is expected to recover.
“He wanted to stay between me and the bear all the way up the hill. He was facing the bear and wanting to protect me the whole time” Manuge said getting emotional
While Charlie was off leash, Manuge says he keeps him on a shock collar to keep him away from wildlife. He says he’s not sure what he could have done to avoid the conflict, except maybe putting bear bells on his dogs in the future. He says he was, and always does, making plenty of noise on his walk.
Manuge says he is experienced in bear country and in dealing with bears, “unfortunately in this case there was no warning or real indication that she was there before she charged me,” adding that he doesn’t blame the bear at at all for simply protecting its young.
The BC Conservation Office will not be taking any further action as the sow was acting in self defence.
In May a jogger was attacked in the same park under very similar circumstances. While running with his dog off leash they spooked a sow who attacked. The Conservation Office ended up destroying the bear, and two cubs were sent to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers.
Listen to Tony describe the whole ordeal below