The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has issued an apology for creating confusion, clarifying that the RCMP were responsible for euthanizing a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month.
According to reports from August 9, the BCCOS stated that the girl was playing on her family’s backyard deck when a black bear approached and attacked her. The bear was scared away by one of her parents.
It was later revealed by Maple Ridge RCMP that the bear returned multiple times while law enforcement officers were present, leading to the decision to shoot the bear. However, a necropsy performed on the bear two days later by the BCCOS indicated that it was not the bear responsible for the initial attack.
In a video statement shared on social media on Friday, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls confirmed that after further investigation, including a review of evidence, additional evidence collection, and DNA analysis, it was determined that the bear that was euthanized was indeed the one involved in the attack. Pauls emphasized that no other bears were harmed in connection to this incident.
Pauls expressed regret for the confusion caused by the earlier BCCOS assessment and acknowledged the swift response of the RCMP in safeguarding public safety. He also mentioned that the young victim, who was reported by the RCMP to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the attack, is still recuperating.
Following the initial BCCOS evaluation that indicated the wrong bear had been killed, Maple Ridge RCMP stated to CBC News that they consistently review such incidents to identify potential improvements in training or equipment that could enhance the service provided to officers and the public.
