Woman Attacked By Bear In Aspen
ASPEN, Colo. (CBS4) – A woman sustained injuries after being attacked by a bear in Aspen early Sunday morning.
According to Blair Weyer with the Aspen Police Department, at approximately 2 a.m. police responded to a call about a woman who was injured by a bear in the alley between Galena and Mill Street.
Weyer said that before the woman was attacked police responded to a call about people gathering around a large bear in a dumpster in the same alley.
"An Aspen police officer responded and scared the bear away using his lights and sirens," Weyer said in a statement. "He lost sight of the bear after it fled through the courtyard by St. Mary's Church."
Weyer said the woman was attacked about 30 minutes later.
"She was walking down the alley between Galena and Mill when she encountered the bear, which swiped at her," Weyer said.
The woman sustained injuries to her abdomen and leg. She has been treated and released.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been attempting to locate the bear. The bear could be euthanized since the "3 Strikes" rule doesn't apply when a bear attacks a person.
Additional Information From Aspen Police
Please protect yourself and keep the Aspen bears safe by being bear aware. Additional information about bear encounters can be found online at aspenbears.com or by calling the bear hotline at (970) 429-1768.