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Penn. man attacked by rabid bear
Authorities have confirmed that the bear responsible for attacking a Pennsylvania man had rabies.
A resident of the town of Jim Thorpe was “aggressively approached” by a black adult male bear on Sunday, Jan. 19, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said in a news release. The animal then “proceeded to bite and scratch him, exhibiting abnormal behaviors for a black bear.”
According to officials, a nearby homeowner who saw what was happening proceeded to shoot and kill the bear, which was later removed from the scene for testing.
In an update on Thursday, January 23, officials said that “the results of the tests showed the bear was positive for rabies.”
Related: Mom Says She Felt Like ‘Rag Doll’ During Bear Attack Before Barking Dog, and a Hair Clip, Saved Her
The Pennsylvania Game Commission said that the victim — identified by local CBS affiliate WYOU as Andrew Neirer — is “expected to have a full recovery and has received appropriate medical treatment” for his injuries.
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In an interview with WYOU, Neirer said that he was walking to the store when the attack occurred, and that he did try to walk away. Still, despite what happened, he added that he sympathizes with the bear.
“They’re hungry. They’re starving. They’re supposed to be in hibernation. This weather is weird lately. Hot, cold, warm, cold. I’m not drained from it,” he said, adding, “It could’ve been a lot worse.”
Related: Dad Calls His Son, 12, a ‘Hero’ After Boy Saves Him from Bear Attack: ‘He Really Held It Together’
In their statement, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reiterated that “rabies in bares is rare,” and that cases that do pop up are usually isolated incidents. “Rabies poses a risk to all mammals,” they wrote, noting that “male bear[s] typically den alone” which reduces “the risk of other bears being exposed to rabies.”
The organization went on to note that “anyone who observes wildlife acting abnormally” should report it by calling 1-833-PGC-WILD.
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