Bear attacks woman running with dogs

A Columbia Falls woman was left with several bites on her head and torso after she was attacked by a bear last week while running with her dogs north of Columbia Falls.

The attack happened the morning of July 3 in the Cedar Flats area.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks investigator Brian Sommers says the bear ran from the trees and attacked one of the dogs. Not armed with bear spray, the runner yelled at the bear, then lay on her side on the ground.

The bear charged and grabbed the runner just above the hip area, biting her several times before turning back to the dogs. The runner sat up and the bear returned and bit her on the head several times. The bear then released its grip and ran back into the woods, while the dogs ran off.

According to Sommers, the victim is recovering from several bites in the torso and head area, and from claw wounds. She was taken to North Valley Hospital after the attack.

The victim’s husband later returned to the site of the attack and retrieved the dogs, which were injured but alive.

Investigators believe it was a black bear, but are uncertain of the sex and of the presence of cubs. Sommers said he will be piecing together the final details of the incident over the coming weeks.

A trap set for the bear last week has been removed after no activity was noted at the site.

FWP bear and lion specialist Erik Wenum warns that all hikers or runners should carry bear pepper spray.

“All of northwest Montana is bear country,” he said. “Besides carrying pepper spray, hikers should be aware of their surroundings at all times.”

He said running with dogs can be a hazard.

“A dog running off-leash can encounter a bear or other animal, and potentially bring the bear back to the owner,” he said.