The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) has issued an apology for the confusion caused, acknowledging that the RCMP euthanized a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge earlier this month. According to reports on August 9, the BCCOS stated that a black bear had assaulted the girl while she was playing on her family’s deck, with one of her parents managing to scare the bear away.
Subsequently, Maple Ridge RCMP revealed that the bear returned to the vicinity multiple times while officers were present, leading to the decision to shoot the animal. However, two days later, the BCCOS announced that a postmortem examination of the bear proved it was not the culprit behind the attack.
In a video statement shared on social media on Friday, Sgt. Jeremy Pauls of the BCCOS clarified that the bear put down by authorities was indeed the one responsible for the incident. Pauls explained that through further investigation, reevaluation of evidence, additional evidence collection, and DNA analysis, they confirmed the correct bear was dispatched and no other bears were involved.
Expressing regret for the initial confusion caused, Pauls commended the swift response of the RCMP in safeguarding public safety. He also provided an update on the victim, noting that despite the non-life-threatening injuries reported by the RCMP, the young girl is still recuperating.
Following the earlier misidentification of the bear, Maple Ridge RCMP stated to CBC News that they are committed to reviewing incidents to enhance officer training and equip them better to serve both officers and the public.