colodivwildlife.jpgCONIFER — A woman checking on her barking dog was attacked by a small bear, and wildlife officials Monday followed tracks and killed a bear.

The 38-year-old woman suffered non-life threatening injuries after the encounter early Monday, officials with the Division of Wildlife said in a statement.

Food placed in snow banks during a power outage and unsecured garbage cans in a shed may have attracted the bear, DOW officials said. The woman’s 10-year-old daughter witnessed the attack and estimated the bear at about 50 to 60 pounds.

A wildlife official followed tracks leading away from the home and encountered three bears. One of the bears charged the officer who drew a firearm and shot the animal. It was unclear whether the bear shot by the officer was the same bear that attacked the woman, whose name has not been released. Traps were set for the additional bears and testing and necropsy will be performed on the dead bear.

grizzly_bear.jpgBears have been sighted in many Mt. Vernon Canyon neighborhoods this summer— Riva Chase, Lininger Mountain, Genesee, Genesee Park Ridge, Panorama Estates, Paradise Hills, Cody Park, Mt. Vernon, Moss Rock and Rainbow Hills.

Black Bears are omnivores that consume 90 percent plants and 10 percent meat. Current drought conditions have dried up plants and grasses, limiting the normal abundance of berries and nuts bears crave while preparing for winter hibernation. It is rare for a bear, sighted in residential areas, to damage property or harm people. If it does not find abundant food, it moves on. Reported sightings do not count against bears that cause no harm. Those that damage property or are aggressive toward humans are relocated and tagged by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. If it repeats the aggressive behavior around humans a second time, it must be destroyed.  Wildlife officials fear they will be killing a lot of bears if people aren’t careful with their food, garbage, bird feeders and anything that will put out a scent a bear might find attractive.  Most bears will go to great lengths to avoid people unless their appetites overcome their judgment. Those that gain a tasty reward for the risk of scavenging near homes are likely to repeat the risk. Bears are attracted to suet and sunflower seeds in bird feeders, garbage left outdoors overnight for morning pickup, pet food and grease from BBQ grills. Melon rinds, spoiled food and other smelly garbage are delectable scents for bears.