The B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) issued an apology for the confusion surrounding the recent incident where the RCMP shot a bear that had attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge. According to the initial report on August 9, the girl was playing on her family’s deck when a black bear approached her, prompting one of her parents to chase the bear away.
Subsequently, Maple Ridge RCMP disclosed that the bear returned multiple times while they were present, leading them to shoot the animal. However, two days later, a necropsy performed on the bear revealed that it was not the same bear responsible for the attack.
In a video statement shared on social media on Friday, BCCOS Sgt. Jeremy Pauls confirmed that after further investigation, including DNA analysis, it was determined that the bear shot by authorities was indeed the bear involved in the attack. Pauls expressed regret for the initial confusion and thanked the RCMP for their swift response to ensure public safety.
Despite earlier reports of non-life-altering injuries, the victim of the bear attack is still recuperating. Following the revelation that the wrong bear had been killed, Maple Ridge RCMP stated that they would reassess their protocols and equipment to better serve both officers and the public.