MIDDLETOWN, Md. — A 63-year-old woman is recovering from injuries after she was mauled by a 200-pound black bear in Frederick County, Maryland.
“We’ve never had a bear attack on a human in recorded history,” said Paul Peditto, director of the Wildlife & Heritage Service with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
According to the DNR, Karen Osborne was walking her dog down her driveway on Irongate Lane near Middletown Wednesday night when she accidentally got between the bear and its three cubs.
“The sow at that point proceeded to defend the cubs in that situation,” Peditto said.
The bear attacked Osborne, leaving her with a broken arm, cuts to her head and puncture wounds on her arms.
The attack stopped when Osborne went into a fetal position and managed to call 911.
She was taken to a hospital in Hagerstown and is expected to recover.
“We lucked out,” said Mark Snuffin, the victim’s son-in-law. “This could have been a lot worse. I feel pretty fortunate.”
Wildlife officials tracked the bear down and euthanized it. They left the cubs alone, saying the animals are all around 70 pounds and are large enough to survive on their own.
Woman mauled in first black bear attack in Maryland history. Frederick County victim recovering from injuries. Bear was euthanized. #WTOP pic.twitter.com/YzjBLXNkYq
— Nick Iannelli (@NickWTOP) November 17, 2016
WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher contributed to this story.
