A 64-year-old woman from Maine was bitten by a bear on Friday 30th June 2023 after she courageously punched the animal in the face while protecting her dog.
According to a news release from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Lynn Kelly was working in her backyard, which borders New Hampshire, when her dog began barking and ran into the nearby woods. Shortly after, the dog returned, being chased by a bear.
Speaking to CNN affiliate WMUR, Kelly described the intense moment: “I ran over to where he had gone down and kept calling him and calling him, and he finally came running back up. And right behind him was the bear. The bear looked at me, and I looked at the bear. I think we both scared each other.”
As detailed in the department’s release, Kelly confronted the bear head-on.
When the bear stood up, she matched its height and delivered a punch to its nose.
However, in the ensuing struggle, the bear bit her right hand, leaving puncture wounds on her wrist.
After being punched, the bear released Kelly’s wrist and swiftly retreated into the woods.
Kelly immediately contacted emergency services, and she was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Fortunately, her injuries were minor, and she has since been discharged.
Her dog emerged from the encounter unharmed.
Maine is home to an estimated 24,000 to 36,000 black bears, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
