In Nipigon, Ontario, a bear invaded a couple’s residence on Tuesday night, leading to an altercation that was thwarted by the family dog until law enforcement intervened. According to Kim Rodak, a representative for Northwest Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the bear gained entry through the back door as the couple was letting their dog out at approximately 11 p.m. ET. Rodak mentioned that the bear either charged at them or simply entered the house at that moment.
During the incident, the couple managed to escape to a bedroom and secure themselves while contacting emergency services. The bear roamed around the house and eventually found its way into the basement. The family dog bravely confronted the bear until the authorities arrived, preventing further harm.
The couple sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment. Rodak stated that they suffered numerous lacerations and bites from the bear but are expected to be discharged later in the day. The couple’s mixed-breed dog also sustained injuries but received necessary medical attention, including stitches, and is expected to fully recover.
For public safety reasons, the responding officers had to euthanize the bear to prevent any additional threats to the community. Nipigon Mayor Suzanne Kukko expressed concerns about the recent increase in bear sightings and bold behavior, possibly driven by the scarcity of berries in the area. She highlighted that the absence of blueberries this season might be pushing bears closer to town in search of food, leading to heightened encounters with residents.
Kukko emphasized that many people have reported bear sightings along the North shore of Lake Superior in recent weeks, indicating a noticeable shift in bear activity. To mitigate potential confrontations with bears, the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) advised residents to refrain from feeding or approaching the animals and securely store food waste. If encountering a bear, individuals should slowly retreat while keeping the bear in view. In cases of aggressive behavior or immediate danger, contacting the police is recommended. Non-urgent bear encounters can be reported to the Ministry of Natural Resource’s Bear Wise line at 1-866-514-2327.