A black bear broke into a home in southeastern Colorado and clawed a woman’s leg. Wildlife officials are searching for the bear.
The incident happened early Friday morning when a resident near Boncarbo, west of Trinidad, was awakened by a crashing sound and her dog growling, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release. The 82-year-old woman opened the doors to her mudroom and a small, cinnamon-colored bear, a yearling weighing less than 100 pounds, scrambled around the room, climbed a shelf and left the house, tearing through and open window screen.
The injured woman declined medical attention, according to the CPW.
“Under CPW policy, any bear that causes injury to a human is classified as a dangerous bear and, if captured, must be humanely euthanized,” the release said.
CPW Officer Bob Holder was notified of the incident Friday and began a search in the area where a trap was set in case the bear returns.
“Human health and safety always remain our top priority in any incident like this, regardless of how minor the injuries are,” said Mike Brown, CPW’s area wildlife manager for the region, in the release. “CPW officers are doing everything we can to locate this bear. Luckily, the victim’s injuries consist of very minor scratches.”
This is the second bear attack in the Trinidad area in two weeks. The CPW does not believe the two incidents are related. The incident is the fourth reported bear attack in Colorado in 2023.
