Black Bear Put Down After Scratching Woman in Simsbury Park

SIMSBURY, CT — A woman walking her dog on a hiking trail at Town Forest Park encountered a black bear, which swiped at her and caused some superficial scratches, a Department of Energy and Environmental Protection official said Wednesday.

The 41-year old Simsbury resident told DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police that a bear took a swipe at her while she was hiking and jogging in the park shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday, DEEP spokesman Dennis Schain said.

EnCon Police say the woman had scratches on the back side of her upper legs, Schain said.

The woman told EnCon Police she was on a trail in the park with her black Labrador Retriever on a leash when she came around a corner and encountered the bear. The woman said she shouted to try and scare the bear off, and when the bear did not move, she turned to get away from it. At that point, she said, the bear approached her and swiped at her, Schain said.

The woman refused medical treatment that was offered at the scene, according to Schain.

EnCon Police put down the female bear after tracking it after the incident with the aid of a signal from a GPS collar that had been placed on it during studies of bears in hibernation that the Agency conducts to monitor and assess the health of this species, Schain said.

The bear was located and shot near the area where the encounter with the woman occurred. DEEP officials said the bear was put down in keeping with a policy of taking such action when a bear exhibits aggressive behavior, Schain said.

There were two six-month old cubs with this sow. DEEP Wildlife biologists say the cubs are mature enough to survive on their own, Schain said.

Patch file photo