Bear attacks 71-year-old woman after breaking into her New Hampshire home

'Having bears in the area is one thing…having it come into a house is another thing'

A black bear attacked a 71-year-old woman in the middle of the night in her home in New Hampshire, according to local reports.

Apryl Rogers was sleeping in her house in Groton, New Hampshire, when she woken by sounds coming from her kitchen, her daughter Stacey Murray told local Boston CBS. Ms Murray said her mother found the bear rummaging through her kitchen and believes the animal entered the kitchen through a side door.

The bear then attacked Ms Rogers, swiping at her face, leaving her with severe facial injuries. Ms Murray told CBS that her mother, who uses wheelchair, was able to call the police after the attack, which she said was a “miracle”.

Ms Murray says when she arrived at her mother’s home she found claw marks on the kitchen door and cabinets that had been emptied.

“This was just a complete mess,” Ms Murray said. “Even the door to the oven was open, there was bear faeces everywhere, there was blood all over the place. It was like a war happened”.

Following the attack Ms Rogers has undergone surgery and could possibly lose an eye, her daughter told NBC News 10 Boston.

“We all know she’s strong, so she’ll be ok,” said a tearful Ms Murry.

Officials have said efforts to track down the bear are reportedly underway, NBC reports.

“It’s disconcerting that there’s a bear around here that just wants to bush it’s way into somebody’s house,” Ms Murray said. “Having bears in the area is one thing…having it come into a house is another thing”.