Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
Associated Press
MORRIS, Conn. (AP) — A 250-pound black bear mauled a 10-year-old boy playing in his grandparents’ backyard in Connecticut and tried to drag him away before the animal was fatally shot by police, authorities said.
The child was attacked about 11 a.m. Sunday in the town of Morris, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.
Officers from the state police and DEEP’s environmental conservation force responded and shot the bear, authorities said.
The boy’s grandfather described the harrowing attack to the Republican-American of Waterbury. James Butler said his grandson was playing near a trampoline when the bear emerged from thick woods behind the house.
“I heard him yell ‘bear’ and when I looked up, I saw his leg in the bear’s mouth and the bear trying to drag him across the lawn,” Butler said.
Butler, who uses a wheelchair, wheeled his chair toward the bear and threw a metal bar at its head, he told the newspaper.
The bear released the boy but then grabbed the child a second time and used its claws to try to roll the boy onto his back, the grandfather said.
A neighbor alerted by the boy’s screams raced over and scared the bear off by brandishing a pipe and yelling, Butler said.
Once Butler and his grandson were safely inside the house, the bear returned, walking up a wheelchair ramp and peering at them through screen door, Butler said.
“We thought he was coming through the screen,” Butler said. “No doubt he was a big threat.”
The bear was fatally shot by police a short time later.
Butler, and his wife, Christina Anderson, who was inside the house when the bear attacked, said the boy suffered a puncture wound to one thigh, bite marks on a foot and ankle and claw marks on his back.
State biologist Jenny Dixon said the risk of negative bear-human interactions is increasing as Connecticut’s expanding bear population becomes acclimated to humans and develops a taste for their food.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
Hiking with a buddy is an easy way to deter would-be assailants. Remember — strength in numbers.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
Dreamstime
Blasting music or a podcast through your headphones can limit your awareness of what’s going on around you. Keep your ears open to send a signal to a would-be attacker that you’re able to fully hear them coming.
Dreamstime
Blasting music or a podcast through your headphones can limit your awareness of what’s going on around you. Keep your ears open to send a signal to a would-be attacker that you’re able to fully hear them coming.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
Take a few self-defense classes at a local martial arts studio to learn a few basic techniques. These skills can be crucial to stopping an attack and escaping the situation safely.
Take a few self-defense classes at a local martial arts studio to learn a few basic techniques. These skills can be crucial to stopping an attack and escaping the situation safely.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
Research a trail beforehand and consult others that have been along the route. This will often tip you off to general sketchiness or other hazards that may be present.
Research a trail beforehand and consult others that have been along the route. This will often tip you off to general sketchiness or other hazards that may be present.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
Proper gear will allow you to keep moving regardless of inclement weather that rolls through. Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage by wearing shoes that are hard to walk or run in if things get muddy.
Proper gear will allow you to keep moving regardless of inclement weather that rolls through. Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage by wearing shoes that are hard to walk or run in if things get muddy.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
It can be easy to get lost in the moment of enjoying a natural scene, but remember to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Take note of people that might be following you and other occurrences that just seem a bit off.
It can be easy to get lost in the moment of enjoying a natural scene, but remember to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Take note of people that might be following you and other occurrences that just seem a bit off.
Bear mauls 10-year-old in grandparents’ Connecticut backyard, tries to drag him away
If you’ve got a dog, bring it on the hike as a safety measure when you can. Dogs are often a deterrence for crime when they’re large enough to protect their handlers if need be.
If you’ve got a dog, bring it on the hike as a safety measure when you can. Dogs are often a deterrence for crime when they’re large enough to protect their handlers if need be.
