Apryl Rogers says she has no hard feelings as officials admit ‘the bear is as traumatized as this poor woman was’

New Hampshire woman bears no grudge after losing eye in home attack

A 71-year-old New Hampshire woman who lost an eye when she was mauled by a black bear inside her house is still recovering from her injuries, but said she has no hard feelings towards the ursine home invader.

Apryl Rogers was woken in her home on 17 July and discovered the bear in her kitchen. The animal apparently entered the home through a door that was not fully latched.

Officials told WMUR-TV evidence suggested the bear became trapped in the home after looking for birdseed and cat food.

Neighbors told the TV station bears are common in the area.

“We’ve had a bear on our deck right off the slider,” said one resident, Sue Bowen. “You just have to be careful, that’s all.”

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Another, Beth Jeffrey, said she takes in her bird feeders every night.

“You have to do what [authorities] tell you,” she said. “Don’t leave that stuff out there. And it’s just unbelievable that it happened, that it was so close.”

WMUR-TV reported that Rogers, who was using a wheelchair before the attack, was still recovering from life–threatening injuries. The animal sliced her cheek and scalp and fractured her neck. She also lost her left eye.

Of the hunt for the bear, which escaped, state Fish and Game official Kevin Jordan told the TV station: “I think we’re going to find that this bear is as traumatized as this poor woman was, and we may never see it again.”

Rogers managed to call for help after the attack. She was not, she said, “going to let anything get me down”.