The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has issued an apology for causing confusion, clarifying that the RCMP euthanized a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month. The incident occurred on August 9 when the girl was playing on her family’s deck and was attacked by a black bear, prompting one of her parents to scare the bear away.
Subsequently, Maple Ridge RCMP reported that the bear had returned multiple times while officers were present, leading to the decision to shoot the bear. However, two days later, a necropsy performed on the bear revealed that it was not the bear responsible for the attack as initially believed.
In a video statement shared on social media on Friday, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls confirmed that after further investigation, including a reassessment of evidence, additional evidence collection, and DNA analysis, it was confirmed that the bear that was dispatched was indeed the one involved in the attack. Pauls emphasized that no other bears were euthanized in connection to this incident.
Acknowledging the earlier confusion, Pauls expressed gratitude to the RCMP for their swift response in safeguarding public safety. He also mentioned that the victim, who was reported to have sustained non-life-altering injuries by the RCMP, is on the path to recovery.
In response to the initial misidentification of the bear, Maple Ridge RCMP stated that they consistently review such incidents to explore potential improvements in training or equipment for the benefit of officers and the public.
