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Bear Attack In Midpines

MIDPINES – A 67-year-old man was attacked by a bear outside his home in Midpines early this morning, confirms the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. As a result, the Sheriff has issued an aggressive animal public safety warning for the Midpines area of Mariposa County.

Today, Thursday, Aug. 13 at approximately 4 a.m. an adult male was attacked by a bear at his home in the 5000 block of Colorado Road.

Lt. Chris Stoots with Fish and Wildlife says they believe the bear was rummaging through the trash when the man stepped outside of his house in the early morning dark. The resident was able to fight off the bear and made it back into his home, and then drove himself to the hospital.

The man sustained lacerations and puncture wounds to his legs, arms, abdomen, hands, and feet, says Lt. Chris Stoots, who added that the victim is stable and has received his first round of rabies and antibiotic treatments.

Due to this significant attack, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are warning residents in the area to be aware of their surroundings, and to keep an eye on children and pets.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens are in the area actively searching for the bear. Should you encounter a bear, do not approach the animal and call 911 immediately.

Lt. Stoots encourages mountain area residents to engage in behavior that helps avoid human encounters with bears, adding that attacks are very uncommon. He says precautions include not leaving trash or feeding pets on the porch or adjacent areas of your home as among the ways to lower your chance of running into a bear.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recommends Keep Me Wild as a resource on ways to live with wildlife.

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