The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has issued an apology for the confusion caused by initial reports, revealing that the RCMP had euthanized a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month. The incident occurred on Aug. 9 when the girl was playing on her family’s deck and was attacked by a black bear. The bear was chased off by one of her parents. Subsequently, Maple Ridge RCMP reported that the bear had returned multiple times while officers were present, leading to the decision to shoot the animal.
Following a necropsy conducted on the bear two days later, the BCCOS confirmed that the bear killed by the RCMP was not the one responsible for the attack. However, in a video statement posted on social media, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls stated that after further investigation, including DNA analysis, it was determined that the euthanized bear was indeed the one involved in the attack. Pauls clarified that no other bears were dispatched in connection with the incident.
Pauls expressed regret for the confusion caused by the initial assessment and commended the RCMP for their swift response to ensure public safety. He also mentioned that the victim, who was reported to have sustained non-life-altering injuries by the RCMP, is still recovering.
In response to the revelation that the wrong bear was initially euthanized, Maple Ridge RCMP stated that they always assess incidents to identify potential improvements in training and equipment to better serve both officers and the public.