Great Pyrenees and black bear fight near Ketchum

KETCHUM, Idaho (CBS2) — A woman's Great Pyrenees fought with a black bear in a residential area south of Ketchum on July 22.

Idaho Fish and Game said the woman was walking her dog near her home when she encountered a black bear. The woman began walking away when the bear started fighting with her dog.

The dog suffered multiple bite puncture wounds and was treated by a local veterinarian. The dog is recovering.

“When a bear or any wildlife has direct contact with an unleashed pet in wildlands we tend to not take management actions against wildlife,” said Mike McDonald, Regional Wildlife Manager. “In many situations, wildlife and pets, especially dogs, don’t mix, and can actually make an encounter rise to an attack or fight between the two. We don’t want that to happen. Dog owners should be aware that they are responsible for their pets and their actions when recreating on public land.”

The bear left the area and it is unknown if it suffered any injuries. No efforts to trap the bear will be taken by Fish and Game.

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