'Completely helpless': Canmore, Alta., family waited hours for help as bear killed dog, slept in their backyard
CTV
A Canmore family says they could only watch as a black bear attacked their dog and then slept in their backyard overnight as they waited for help from wildlife officers.
A Canmore family says they could only watch as a black bear killed their dog and then slept in their backyard overnight as they waited for help from wildlife officers.
Carolyn Hillier says her daughters, 13 and 22, were inside their home when the attack occurred in the backyard on Sunday, around 11:30 p.m..
“Of course, they were quite horrified standing there knowing they were completely helpless in the situation,” Hillier said.
The family’s dog, 11-year-old Pepper, was killed by the bear in the backyard.
Hillier says the family attempted to contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES) but were unable to get through immediately.
After getting no answer on the Canmore RCMP non-emergency line, the family called 911.
They were told that RCMP also could not get in touch with fish and wildlife. RCMP officers drove by the house, but wouldn’t have been able to see the bear in the backyard from the road, according to Hillier.
