Officers put down 350-pound black bear that scratched Washington teen

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers shot a 350-pound black bear to death on Aug. 13 after the animal allegedly struck a 17-year-old woman’s arm in the town of Roslyn, causing superficial scratches and torn clothing.

“With assistance from Cle Elum/Roslyn Police, Fish and Wildlife officers and the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office quickly located and lethally removed the animal near the scene,” the WDFW said.

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Since 1970 there have been 20 non-deadly “human-back bear encounters” in the State of Washington, WDFW records show. The state’s last black bear attack occurred in 2022.

Washington’s only recorded, fatal black bear attack occurred in 1974.

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