Photo: pixabay

A Grizzly bear near Cranbrook is dead after attacking a dog walker and responding conservation officer.

Nicole Caithness with the BC Conservation Officer Service says a man was attacked while running his dogs along the Wycliffe Forest Service Road on Oct. 20. The male, who was carrying a rifle, shot and injured the bear during the attack.

Responding conservation officers determined the bear had left the scene and tracked it five kilometres into a rural area.

“When officers got close to the bear, it emerged from cover, charged, and attacked the officers,” Caithness said.

Officers killed the attacking bear, but not before it got a hold of CO Matthew Corbett.

Caithness said Corbett sustained serious injuries and required surgery to repair damage to his hands.

The BC Conservation Officer Service is reminding the public to take care in the wilderness and manage attractants with bears entering their most active period prior to hibernation.