The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) offered an apology for causing confusion, clarifying that the RCMP euthanized a bear responsible for attacking a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month. The incident occurred on Aug. 9 when the girl was playing on her family’s deck and was confronted by a black bear. A parent intervened and scared the bear away.
Maple Ridge RCMP reported that the bear returned to the area multiple times while officers were present, prompting them to shoot the animal. However, a necropsy conducted on the bear two days later revealed that it was not the bear that had attacked the girl.
In a video statement shared on social media, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls confirmed that after thorough investigation, including DNA analysis, it was determined that the bear killed by 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.
Regarding the victim’s condition, whom the RCMP stated had endured non-life-threatening injuries during the incident, Pauls mentioned that she is still recovering. Maple Ridge RCMP stated that they always assess incidents to explore ways to enhance officer training and equipment for better service to both officers and the public.