A man building a home south of Prescott, Arizona was attacked and killed by a black bear on Friday, June 16. The 66 year old was sitting in a chair on his property, when the bear attacked him unprovoked. Neighbors attempted to intervene, but were unsuccessful.
Eventually, another neighbor shot and killed the animal while it was beginning to eat the man. Unfortunately, the victim was dead upon the arrival of the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The carcass will be examined and tested for disease by AZGFD veterinarian and wildlife health specialist, Dr. Anne Justice-Allen.
There have been 15 bear attacks on people in the state since 1990. This is the second fatal bear attack in Arizona since then, which is as far back as the department’s database tracks. The first fatality occurred in 2011 in Pinetop.
The incident remains under investigation. For more information on bears in the state, visit azgfd.com.
