A 55-year-old woman is in critical condition after being attacked by a bear in Butler Township, Pennsylvania on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. when the victim, Lee Ann Galante, went outside to let her dog, Smokey, out of the house. According to reports from The Butler Eagle, WTAE, Go Erie, and CBS News, the bear attacked Galante and her dog, causing severe injuries.
Emergency responders were quick to arrive at the scene, and upon their arrival, they found Galante bleeding profusely from lacerations on her head and one on her arm. The first responders were able to control the bleeding before transporting her to Butler Memorial Hospital. She was later transferred to Allegheny General Hospital for further treatment.
According to her surgeon, Dr. Jennifer Chen, Galante suffered puncture wounds and lacerations to her head, neck, face, and arm, as well as broken bones in her face. In an interview with CBS News, Galante recalled the terrifying experience, saying, “It was very terrifying. I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it. I couldn’t believe this was happening.”
Only Channel 11 was there as Lee Ann Galante returned home on Thursday and reunited with her beloved dog, Smoky. https://t.co/q8hCJiIj6d
— WPXI (@WPXI) March 8, 2024
The bear, believed to be a mother bear with three cubs, attacked Galante from behind, pushing her to the ground and causing her to hit her face on the cement. The bear then grabbed her by the back of her head and started pulling her, causing her to fear for her life. She believes her dog, Smokey, distracted the bear and allowed her to run into her house for safety.
Butler Township police Sgt. Thomas Vensel reported that the mother bear was euthanized by the Pennsylvania Game Commission due to her aggressive behavior. The three cubs were tranquilized and are currently being transported to an unknown location. There are currently discussions about what to do with the cubs, as they could potentially be euthanized or relocated to a different area.
Travis Lau, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, stated that they are leaning towards caution and may need to euthanize the cubs to test them for rabies. This is to ensure the safety of the public in case the cubs have contracted the illness.
Butler Township Police Chief John Hays stated that this is the first bear attack they have had in the area, and they do not have a high concentration of bears. However, bears are often seen in the area during the spring and fall seasons. “We get reports of bears quite often, but they do come through,” said Hays, according to Go Erie.
As of now, the Butler Township police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have not released any further information about the attack. The investigation is ongoing, and the community is urged to stay vigilant and be cautious when encountering bears in the area.
The attack on Lee Ann Galante serves as a reminder for everyone to be cautious and aware of their surroundings, especially in areas where bears are known to frequent. It is important to take proper precautions and avoid any encounters with bears to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
