Conservation Officers hunted from Wednesday last until Saturday to find a bear that attacked a middle age woman in Willowbrook’s community park.

Sgt. Jim Beck of the Ministry of the Environment told ODN this morning the attack occurred in the morning of August 5th. The woman was walking her dog, the bear approached from the rear and used one of his paws to knock her to the ground. He attacked her arm where the most serious injuries occurred – lacerations and bone damage.  Victim’s dog then attacked the bear and distracted her.The victim  then ran to find help and was rushed to hospital for surgery.

Conservation Officers after talking to the victim and confirming details set out traps and then looked for the bear. The 6 foot Black Bear – dry mother with no cubs was found but eluded them. On a subsequent day it was located again and shot. The officers went out another day as well to see if any other bears were in the area and found nothing.

As to the question of public notification – Sgt. Beck said a community email had been sent out and warning signs erected at the park. The conservation branch says public reports often result in more danger with a number of people deciding to race to the scene.