Local
Sultan police urge residents to stay inside after woman encounters bear and cub
A woman was treated at a hospital after a bear injured her while she was taking out the trash near Index Galena Road. Washington wildlife officials are searching for the mother bear and cub and assessing what to do next.
A woman was taken to a hospital after a bear injured her during an encounter with a mother bear and cub near Index Galena Road in Snohomish County, Sultan police said.
The woman, who lives in the 49400 block of Index Galena Road, was taking out the trash when she came upon the bears Tuesday morning, according to police. She sustained a minor injury from a bear’s claw and was transported for medical care.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is searching for the bear and cub and will determine a response after assessing the situation, police said. Authorities urged residents to remain alert and not approach, disturb or interact with the animals.
Anyone who sees the bears should stay indoors and report the sighting to Sultan police’s non-emergency line at 425-407-3999 or to the state wildlife department at 360-902-2936, police said.