The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has issued an apology for the confusion caused after it was discovered that the RCMP had euthanized a bear following an attack on a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month. According to reports, 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 initially chased away by one of her parents. Subsequently, Maple Ridge RCMP officers shot the bear after it returned to the area multiple times.
After a necropsy was performed on the bear, it was determined that it was not the bear responsible for the attack, as confirmed by the BCCOS two days later. However, in a video statement shared on social media on Friday, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls stated that further investigation, evidence reassessment, and DNA analysis revealed that the bear that was dispatched by the authorities was indeed the one involved in the attack. Pauls expressed regret for the initial confusion caused by the BCCOS’s assessment and thanked the RCMP for their swift response to ensure public safety.
The victim, who was reported to have sustained non-life-altering injuries in the attack by Maple Ridge RCMP, is said to be recovering. Following the revelation that the wrong bear had been initially killed, Maple Ridge RCMP mentioned that they always review such incidents to explore ways to enhance officer training and equipment for better public service.