A woman has been released from hospital following a bear attack in Salmon Arm on Sunday morning.
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said a woman was walking with her off-leash dog along the Shuswap Memorial Cemetery Trails at approximately 10 a.m. when she encountered a black bear and its cub.
Officials said the dog chased the cub up a tree, resulting in an attack by the adult bear. The bears then left the area and the woman walked to the trailhead.
An ambulance transported the woman to hospital for treatment. She has since been released.
Conservation officers responded to the attack and conducted a sweep of the area. They said no bears were found.
A B.C. Conservation Officer Service investigation, which included an assessment of the attack site and an interview with the woman, determined the attack was defensive in nature. No efforts will be made to locate or capture the bears.
Conservation officers and the City of Salmon Arm said the trail network has been closed. The conservation service will continue to work with the municipality to determine when the trails can reopen.
Conservation officers are monitoring bear activity in the area.
The public is encouraged to familiarize itself with precautions to minimize human-wildlife conflicts, including keeping pets leashed and remaining aware of surroundings. More information is available from WildSafeBC.
