Avon Woman Bit In Bear Attack Friday: DEEP

AVON, CT — An elderly Avon woman had a frightful morning Friday when she was bitten by a bear while walking her dog in her wooded neighborhood, according to state officials.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said a 74-year-old woman was out walking her dog this morning on Berkshire Crossing Road in Avon.

That's when she saw a female black bear quickly approach and bite her on the arm and the leg, according to DEEP.

Environmental officials said the woman, luckily, did not suffer any life-threatening injuries and was able to walk back home with what was called "superficial" injuries and "minor puncture" wounds.

The situation prompted a quick response from DEEP's Environmental Conservation Police, DEEP wildlife biologists and the Avon Police Department.

According to DEEP, the bear was, eventually, found nearby and had to be euthanized as part of state protocols for when a bear attacks a human.

"In these situations, public safety is DEEP’s top priority," wrote DEEP in a statement.

"Under DEEP’s Black Bear Response Protocol, an attack on a human is a Category 4 response, meaning humane euthanization of the bear. The bear was humanely euthanized at the scene."

DEEP officials said the bear was 12 years old and had "yearlings" nearby, adding those bears were ready to venture on their own.

Dealing with bears has been a common occurrence in Connecticut in recent years and in recent weeks.

According to DEEP, units were called to respond to several reports of bear-home entries and, even, a bear had to be euthanized this week in Salisbury for entering multiple homes.

"It is DEEP's policy to manage the black bear population to maximize ecological, economic and cultural benefits while providing for public safety and property protection," wrote DEEP.

Earlier this month, DEEP, even, sent out a statewide alert urging folks to be wary of bears this spring, as they're more active as they come out of hibernation.

Last week, the Avon Police Department posted footage of a black bear crossing the street in town, noting how a motorist stopped to allow the bear to cross.

The footage was taken March 26 and it was posted on the APD's Facebook site on April 11.

If anyone witnessed the incident in Avon, they should call DEEP's 24-hour dispatch center at 860-424-3333.

For more information on bears in Connecticut, click on this link.

From April 6: 'Bear Sightings, Home Invasions In CT On The Rise: Town-By-Town Updates'