The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has issued an apology for causing confusion, stating that further investigations have revealed that the RCMP euthanized a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month. According to the BCCOS, the incident occurred on August 9 when the girl was playing on the deck in her family’s backyard and was attacked by a black bear. A parent intervened and chased the bear away.
Following the attack, Maple Ridge RCMP reported that the bear returned to the area multiple times while officers were present and was subsequently shot. However, two days later, a necropsy performed on the bear indicated that it was not the one responsible for the initial attack.
In a video statement shared on social media, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls clarified that after a thorough reevaluation of the evidence, additional evidence collection, and DNA analysis, it was confirmed that the bear that was euthanized was indeed the one involved in the attack. Pauls assured that no other bears were harmed in connection to this incident.
Pauls expressed regret for the confusion caused by the earlier assessment and acknowledged the swift response of the RCMP in ensuring public safety. He also mentioned that the victim, who was reported to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries by the RCMP, is on the path to recovery.
In response to the revelation that the wrong bear was initially killed, Maple Ridge RCMP stated that they continuously assess incidents to identify potential enhancements in training or equipment that could better serve both officers and the public.