Current:Home > ScamsBear put down after it entered a cabin and attacked a 15-year-old boy in Arizona-InfoLens
Bear put down after it entered a cabin and attacked a 15-year-old boy in Arizona
View Date:2024-12-23 12:06:39
A black bear was put down in Arizona after it entered a cabin and attacked a 15-year-old boy, who was sitting alone and watching TV.
The victim was sitting inside a cabin in Alpine when a bear "entered through an open door and proceeded to swipe at him from behind," the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) said in a news release Friday.
Alpine is approximately 265 miles east of Phoenix.
The animal then "left the cabin and approached other family members before entering the cabin a second time and swiping at the victim’s arm," AZGFD said, adding that the victim "sustained injuries to the face and arm" and was treated at a local hospital.
Wildlife officers who arrived at the scene were "able to quickly locate and dispatch" the male black bear, estimated to be around 3 years old. The animal's carcass will be inspected and tested for disease by the department’s wildlife health specialists, AZGFD said.
Grand Teton Bear Attack:Bursting can of bear spray drove away grizzly; bear won't be killed: Reports
Victim's mother shares harrowing experience
The victim's mother, Carol Edington Hawkins, in a post on Facebook Friday said that her son was watching TV alone at her parent's cabin in Alpine when a bear entered the home and attacked her son, Brigham. Hawkins said that family members stepped in to help the boy when they heard his screams and that "so many miracles worked together to keep Brigham safe."
"Not many kids can say they got in a fight with a bear and came out on top," Hawkins said in the post, which also included a photo of Brigham with injuries on his face from the attack.
16th bear attack in Arizona
Arizona Fish and Game said that the incident marked the 16th attack by a bear on people in the state in 1990, with two fatal bear attacks since then. The most recent fatal incident occurred last year in Prescott, as per the department.
What to do if you find yourself near bears
"Black bears are predatory animals and should always be considered unpredictable and dangerous," the department said, cautioning the public to take necessary precautions and be aware while visiting or living in bear country.
Tips include keeping food secure and inaccessible to bears, keeping all doors and windows of buildings properly shut, moving and hiking in groups and keeping pets on a leash at all times.
The department also advised not to run in case of a bear encounter and instead backing away slowly while maintaining eye contact.
"Make yourself look bigger than you are by flaunting your arms or pulling your shirt/jacket up higher than your head," the department said.
It is also permissible to throw items and yell at the bear and fight back if attacked.
Members of the public are also encouraged to report bear sighting to AZGFD’s 24/7 dispatch center at 623-236-7201, especially if bears are observed displaying unusual behavior, hanging around in human-occupied areas, and/or showing no fear of humans. In case of an emergency, call 911.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- The NBA Cup is here. We ranked the best group stage games each night
- Hippos descended from pets of Pablo Escobar keep multiplying. Colombia has started to sterilize them.
- The judge in Trump’s Georgia election case limits the disclosure of evidence after videos’ release
- The Supreme Court won’t allow Florida to enforce its new law targeting drag shows during appeal
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- 'Ted' the talking teddy bear is back in a new streaming series: Release date, cast, how to watch
- Boston public transit says $24.5 billion needed for repairs
- An eco trio, a surprising flautist and a very weird bird: It's the weekly news quiz
- Benny Blanco Reveals Selena Gomez's Rented Out Botanical Garden for Lavish Date Night
- A pregnant woman who was put on life support after a Missouri mall shooting has died, police say
Ranking
- Amazon's 'Cross' almost gets James Patterson detective right: Review
- Kaitlin Armstrong found guilty in 2022 shooting death of cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson
- Capitol Police clash with group protesting violently outside Democratic headquarters during demonstration over Israel-Hamas war
- Lukas Gage Makes First Public Appearance Since Chris Appleton Divorce Filing
- GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
- EU calls on China to stop building coal plants and contribute to a climate fund for poor nations
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Sami Gets a Boob Job One Year After Launching OnlyFans Career
- Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' Daughter Sami Gets a Boob Job One Year After Launching OnlyFans Career
Recommendation
-
Olivia Munn began randomly drug testing John Mulaney during her first pregnancy
-
Is espresso martini perfume the perfect recipe for a holiday gift? Absolut, Kahlua think so.
-
Sen. Sanders pushes NIH to rein in drug prices
-
An eco trio, a surprising flautist and a very weird bird: It's the weekly news quiz
-
North Carolina offers schools $1 million to help take students on field trips
-
She took in 7 dogs with who survived abuse and have disabilities. Now, they're helping to inspire others
-
Hell on earth: Father hopes for 8-year-old daughter's return after she's taken hostage by Hamas
-
Beef is a way of life in Texas, but it’s hard on the planet. This rancher thinks she can change that