After bear attack, a 72-year-old man walks a mile for help, Oregon officials say

A 72-year-old man and his dog hiked a mile for help Sunday after a black bear attacked them, Oregon wildlife officials say.

The man and dog were hiking on a forest road west of Creswell, Oregon, when they came within 20 feet of a male black bear, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“The dog barked and ran at the bear,” Fish and Wildlife said in the news release. “The bear knocked the dog down and was on the dog when the victim approached yelling and waving his arms in an attempt to scare the bear from the dog. The bear turned from the dog and redirected to the victim.”

The bear charged the man and knocked him onto the ground, according to the news release. The man fought back, and the bear left.

The bear and dog were both injured, but they were able to walk home after the attack and see doctors, Fish and Wildlife said. They hiked about a mile back to their home before they could be taken to get medical care.

“The man suffered lacerations and punctures on his forearm as well as lacerations to his torso and head,” Fish and Wildlife said. “He was released from the hospital yesterday after receiving treatment for his wounds. His dog was treated by a veterinarian. Both the man and his dog are expected to fully recover.”

A black bear with a light-colored muzzle that matched the description the man gave to officials was then shot and killed by wildlife officials, according to the news release.

“There is a very good chance that the bear that was killed is the one that injured the man, but this area is also good bear habitat and home to many bears,” Brian Wolfer, Fish and Wildlife South Willamette Watershed manager, said in the news release. “While we are not currently looking for another bear, the area will remain closed and trail cameras will be set up to see if there are other bears matching the description in the area.”

Bear attacks in Oregon are rare, wildlife officials said. Since 1988, there have only been four reported incidents, according to the news release.

“This was a very serious incident and the victim took the right steps by first trying to scare the bear off and then fighting back when he was attacked,” Wolfer said. “We extend our well wishes to him and his family and hope for his speedy recovery.”

This story was originally published May 11, 2020 at 6:57 PM with the headline "After bear attack, a 72-year-old man walks a mile for help, Oregon officials say."