A bear intruded into a home in Nipigon, Ontario, on Tuesday night, launching an attack on a couple, who were rescued by their dog until police intervened. The couple inadvertently allowed the bear in through the back door while letting their dog out around 11 p.m. ET, according to Kim Rodak, a spokesperson for Northwest Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), as reported by CBC on Wednesday. Rodak mentioned that the bear either charged or entered the house at that moment.
During the assault, the couple sought refuge in a bedroom, locking themselves in while contacting 911 for assistance. The bear roamed within the house and eventually ended up in the basement, as per Rodak. The family’s dog bravely confronted the bear until law enforcement arrived, holding it at bay.
The couple sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment. Rodak confirmed that both individuals suffered lacerations and bites from the bear but are expected to be discharged later in the day. The family’s mixed-breed dog also endured injuries but received necessary veterinary care, including stitches, and is expected to fully recover.
Due to public safety concerns, responding officers had to euthanize the bear following the incident. Mayor Suzanne Kukko of Nipigon, a town approximately 120 kilometers east of Thunder Bay with a population of about 1,500, expressed concerns regarding the escalating bear presence near residential areas. Kukko highlighted the recent surge in bear sightings, attributing the animals’ proximity to town to a scarcity of berries in the area, leading them to seek food sources nearer to human habitation.
The mayor emphasized the community’s empathy toward the starving bears and urged caution when encountering wildlife. Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) cautioned against approaching or feeding bears, advising residents to secure food waste properly and maintain a safe distance if encountering a bear. Aggressive bear encounters or immediate threats should be reported to the police, while non-emergency incidents can be directed to the Ministry of Natural Resource’s Bear Wise line at 1-866-514-2327.
