A 15-year-old boy was injured by a black bear in Alpine, located in Apache County.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department said the attack occurred as the boy sat inside a cabin. The bear entered through an open door and swiped at him from behind.
The bear then proceeded to approach other family members before returning to the victim and swiping him a second time on the arm. Wildlife officers killed the animal — which was estimated to be 3 years old — and will examine the carcass for disease.
According to the agency, this marks the 16th bear attack in the state since 1990. The Game and Fish Department urges residents to be alert to their surroundings, especially in wilderness areas, and to keep food securely away from bears.
The 15-year-old received wounds to his face and arm when the bear swiped at him, and he was treated at a hospital after the late Wednesday incident in Alpine, the state Game and Fish Department said.
His mother, Carol Hawkins, told AZFamily TV that the bear attacked her son while he was alone and watching television. Hawkins said her other son heard screams and went to help. Wildlife officials said the bear entered the home a second time before it fled.
“Not many kids can say they got in a fight with a bear and came out on top,” Hawkins said in a Facebook post that included a photo showing cuts on her son's nose and arm. Hawkins did not respond to a Facebook message Saturday from The Associated Press.
A 66-year-old man was killed almost a year ago when he was attacked at a campsite in the Groom Creek area south of Prescott and about 100 miles north of Phoenix.
