With spring well underway, more and more people are spending time outdoors and the Pennsylvania Game Commission cautions that bears are also becoming more visible as they emerge from their dens to hunt for food.
A bear is blamed for attacking a family dog. The pooch from the Poconos suffered some serious injuries after being mauled by a bear right in her owner's backyard at Pocono Lake.
Dr. Nichole Danova checked over the beagle mix named Heather.
"(The owner's) daughter came racing out the house past her and, full-charge hit the bear with both hands and knocked the bear off the dog. When that happened, that gave mom the chance to scoop the dog up."
The owners rushed Heather to an animal hospital in Luzerne County where Dr. Danova performed emergency surgery. The vet said the dog was badly hurt, suffering deep bite wounds and cuts.
"For whatever reason, I think this dog was challenging a baby and maybe irritated the mama bear and that's why she was attacked," added Dr. Danova.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission said black bears are on the move right now searching for food after hibernating all winter long.
A black bear was spotted running around a neighborhood in Wyoming on Saturday. The next day the same bear showed up in a neighborhood a few miles away in Pittston.
At Frances Slocum State Park in Luzerne County, dog owners are aware of the potential danger.
"I haven't personally seen them but I know they are in the area," said Scott Starbuck of Dallas. "You have to be extra careful, I guess."
"It's the woods, there are bears, but it's not really on my mind," said Julianne Oliver of Pittston. "We are not going to bother them. We put our food away so we don't attract them."
The dog that was attacked is up and walking. She even got a chance to enjoy a little walk outside. The vet said she's amazed she's alive.
"Overall she is doing extremely well considering the kind of day she had."
One of the dog's owners said there were actually five bears involved, a mom and four cubs. She described it as a horrific experience. The vet said the family may get to take Heather home in a couple of days.
The game commission estimates there are about 15,000 black bears throughout the commonwealth. Here are some tips to avoid attracting the beasts:
A bear is blamed for attacking a family dog. The pooch from the Poconos suffered some serious injuries after being mauled by a bear right in her owner's backyard at Pocono Lake.
Dr. Nichole Danova checked over the beagle mix named Heather.
"(The owner's) daughter came racing out the house past her and, full-charge hit the bear with both hands and knocked the bear off the dog. When that happened, that gave mom the chance to scoop the dog up."
The owners rushed Heather to an animal hospital in Luzerne County where Dr. Danova performed emergency surgery. The vet said the dog was badly hurt, suffering deep bite wounds and cuts.
"For whatever reason, I think this dog was challenging a baby and maybe irritated the mama bear and that's why she was attacked," added Dr. Danova.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission said black bears are on the move right now searching for food after hibernating all winter long.
A black bear was spotted running around a neighborhood in Wyoming on Saturday. The next day the same bear showed up in a neighborhood a few miles away in Pittston.
At Frances Slocum State Park in Luzerne County, dog owners are aware of the potential danger.
"I haven't personally seen them but I know they are in the area," said Scott Starbuck of Dallas. "You have to be extra careful, I guess."
"It's the woods, there are bears, but it's not really on my mind," said Julianne Oliver of Pittston. "We are not going to bother them. We put our food away so we don't attract them."
The dog that was attacked is up and walking. She even got a chance to enjoy a little walk outside. The vet said she's amazed she's alive.
"Overall she is doing extremely well considering the kind of day she had."
One of the dog's owners said there were actually five bears involved, a mom and four cubs. She described it as a horrific experience. The vet said the family may get to take Heather home in a couple of days.
The game commission estimates there are about 15,000 black bears throughout the commonwealth. Here are some tips to avoid attracting the beasts:
- Keep your property clean.
- Don't put garbage out until pick-up day.
- Don't throw table scraps outside.
- Clean your grill.
- Keep pet food inside at night.
- Bring bird feeders inside at night or keep them 10 feet off the ground.
- If a bear shows up in your backyard, do not go near it.
