Woman injured by brown bear sow near Bells Flats in Kodiak

A woman walking her dog near Bells Flats was injured Tuesday by a brown bear sow with two cubs and was taken to a local hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said.

The two were on a densely vegetated trail next to a salmon stream when they saw two cubs about 40 yards off, according to the release. The sow came out of the brush moments later, chased the dog back toward the woman and attacked her. By the department's account, the dog bit and barked at the sow, diverting its attention long enough for the woman to move a short distance away and play dead. The dog was not hurt. After the sow and cubs left, she called 911 and walked to the nearest residence for help.

Biologists interviewed the victim, searched the site for the bears or other sign of bear activity, and collected samples. The release does not say whether the bears were found. Nate Svoboda, the department's Kodiak area biologist, is the release's listed contact. ADF&G's release provides the only account in the material.

State epidemiologists counted 68 people hospitalized in 66 bear attacks in Alaska between 2000 and 2017, 70 percent of them between June and September.

Thick summer foliage blocks sightlines and makes surprise encounters more likely, the department said, and dogs off leash can chase wildlife or bring a bear back to their owner. ADF&G advises anyone in bear country to always carry a deterrent such as bear spray or a firearm, to travel in groups and make noise on trails to avoid surprising bears, and to give sow-cub groups distance rather than approach or try to haze them, leaving that to wildlife officials. For bear spray, the department recommends a canister with an EPA registration, a range of 25 feet or greater, and at least 1 to 2 percent capsaicin and capsaicinoids, with 2 percent preferred.

Unusual or aggressive wildlife should be reported to the Kodiak ADF&G office at 907-486-1880 or through the department's online reporting tool. Call 911 in an emergency.