The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) issued an apology for the confusion caused, revealing that the RCMP had euthanized a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier in the month. The incident occurred on August 9 when the girl was playing on her family’s deck and was attacked by a black bear, prompting one of her parents to chase the bear away.
According to Maple Ridge RCMP, the bear returned multiple times while officers were present, leading them to eventually shoot the animal. However, a necropsy conducted two days later by the BCCOS confirmed that the bear killed was not the one responsible for the attack.
In a video statement shared on social media, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls stated that after further investigation, including reevaluation of evidence, additional evidence collection, and DNA analysis, it was determined that the dispatched bear was indeed the one involved in the attack. Pauls clarified that no other bears were euthanized in relation to this incident.
Acknowledging the initial confusion, Pauls expressed gratitude to the RCMP for their prompt response in safeguarding public safety and apologized for any misunderstanding caused by the BCCOS’s earlier assessment. He mentioned that the victim, who was reported to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries by the RCMP, is still in the process of recovery.
Following the BCCOS’s revised assessment, Maple Ridge RCMP stated that they always review such incidents to explore potential improvements in training and equipment to better serve both officers and the public.
