72-year-old man saves dog from bear attack

Oregon officials confirmed they had captured and killed one bear following attack

A 72-year-old man has been injured after saving his dog from a bear attack in Oregon.

Authorities said that the confrontation between the man and the black bear took place on Sunday, about five miles from Creswell, Oregon.

Both the man and the dog survived the confrontation with the male black bear, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) said in a statement on Monday.

They were hiking near his home on private timberland when the encounter with a male black bear began.

The bear had been standing about 20 feet away from the man and dog on a forest road.

According to the ODFW statement, the bear knocked the dog down after it began barking. The bear then charged towards the man when he started yelling and waving his hands in an attempt to scare it.

The man was knocked to the ground, said police, but fought back to see the bear leave the scene after a short time.

“This was a very serious incident and the victim took the right steps by first trying to scare the bear off and then fighting back when he was attacked,” said Brian Wolfer, ODFW South Willamette Watershed Manager on Monday.

The man and dog hiked one mile back to their home after the ordeal, before going to hospital.

The man had puncture wounds on his arm, and cuts to his head and torso, said police.

He was treated and released from the hospital on Sunday. His dog meanwhile was treated at a vet.

Both are expected to make a full recovery, according to authorities.

Mr Wolfer added on Monday: “We extend our well wishes to him and his family and hope for his speedy recovery.”

The bear was described as being “mature” with a “cream” coloured nozzle, which matched the description of a bear killed later on Sunday by the ODFW, Oregon State Police and USDA Wildlife Services who responded to the incident.

“There is a very good chance that the bear that was killed is the one that injured the man, but this area is also good bear habitat and home to many bears,” said Mr Wolfer.

He added: “While we are not currently looking for another bear, the area will remain closed and trail cameras will be set up to see if there are other bears matching the description in the area.”

The ODFW said that a bear attack was uncommon, despite Oregon being home to some 25,000 to 30,000 bears.

The deceased bear will be examined and tested for numerous diseases, said police, which is normal protocol.