AR-News: (CA) Elliot Standard: Woman attacked by bear in town of Spanish

[Barry Kent MacKay]

[Note:  Spanish is in northern Ontario, where there is intense pressure on
the newly elected provincial government to re-instate the spring bear hunt.
- BKM]

Woman attacked by bear in Spanish


By ROSALIND RABY A bear trap has been placed in Spanish near the spot where 
a woman was attack by the bruin last week.

Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 17:00

Local News - A woman from Spanish is lucky to have escaped serious injury 
after being attacked by a bear last Thursday.

At about 3:30 p.m., on Oct. 16, Sharon Behnke was walking along Lewis 
Street, in Spanish, when she encountered a bear that emerged from the bush.

She was startled and fell to the ground striking her face on the roadway.

The bear then struck Behnke with its paw in the shoulder and back area, 
reports the East Algoma OPP.

Behnke was carrying a whistle and began to blow frantically. The bear was 
scared off and the woman escaped to Spanish Public School, where the police 
were called.

She suffered a black eye and a sore knee in the attack.

During their investigation the OPP learned that a large bear has been 
wandering the area of Lewis Street and Spanish Public School for a few days 
last week. Police patrolled the area, but were unable to find the bear.

OPP will be in the area and will take action if the bear is encountered.

A bear trap has been set up in the vicinity of the attack.

The East Algoma OPP is requesting the public's assistance. If they see a 
bear they are asked to call police.

_________________________________________________________________


Barry Kent MacKay
Canadian Office
Animal Protection Institute 
www.api4animals.org