Pennsylvania Woman Survives Bear Attack in Backyard
Terrifying Encounter:
A Pennsylvania woman shared her harrowing experience after being attacked by a bear in her own backyard. Lee Ann Galante, 55, described the incident as a miraculous survival story during a heart-stopping moment.
“I just kept thinking: ‘I can’t believe this is happening. This can’t be happening. I’m being attacked by a bear,'” Galante said from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Unwanted Visitors:
Prior to the attack, Galante’s neighbors in Butler Township had documented a mother bear and her cubs on their home cameras. It had been several weeks since anyone had spotted the bears.
Galante shared her observations of the incident, starting with the alarming sighting of the bear cubs in a neighbor’s tree.
A Frightening Turn:
Galante had been home alone with her beloved 8-pound Pomeranian, Smokie, when the incident occurred. As Smokie started causing a commotion outside, Galante soon found herself face to face with a colossal black bear.
“I start screaming, ‘Smokie, Smokie,'” Galante desperately called out, as the bear lunged at her, knocking her to the ground.
A Brutal Attack:
The bear’s aggression continued as Galante found herself the primary target, while the bear kept her attention intermittently on her dog. Galante’s injuries were severe, including head wounds, a broken nose, lacerations inside her mouth, an injured arm, and numerous scrapes and scratches.
A Desperate Escape:
Galante and Smokie managed to flee to the safety of their home, taking refuge from the bear on the back deck. Crawling towards the phone, Galante dialed 911, desperately seeking help.
The Aftermath:
Galante’s initial medical treatment took place at Butler Memorial Hospital, according to Butler Township police.
Authorities eventually located the mother bear and her cubs in a nearby tree. Due to the continued aggressive behavior of the female bear, the Pennsylvania Game Commission made the difficult decision to euthanize her.
The cubs were tranquilized by the Game Commission and will be released at an undisclosed location.
A Terrifying Ordeal:
Reflecting on the incident, Galante expressed her thankfulness that Smokie managed to escape with only minor scratches on his back. She emphasized the sheer aggression and strength of the bear and the horror she endured.
“She was very aggressive and very strong, it was horrible,” Galante stated.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.
