Hikers out for a walk with their dog escaped with non-life-threatening injuries after they were attacked by a bear.
The two hikers were bitten and clawed at during the encounter on Monday. They were forced to fend off the bear by hitting it.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the attack was prompted when the hikers' dog confronted the bear.
“An off-leash dog can lead to an encounter with a bear,” said Paul Leale, MNRF area forester.
“Obviously, the dog ran into the bear and the bear came back with the dog. Always try and travel in groups of two, makes lots of noise, be aware of your surroundings and if possible always carry an air horn and some bear spray with you."
The two hikers were walking on a wooded trail approximately 20 minutes north of Birch Hill Road in Greater Sudbury.
The MNRF said since the hikers were out in the bush, they didn't have the luxury of using their house as a shelter.
"As a result they sustained multiple lacerations that required stitches, but they were treated at HSN and their injuries were determined to be non-life threatening,” said Inspector Michael Chapman, Greater Sudbury Police Services.
Now, despite the attack, police tell CTV bear calls are still down by 50%.
Last year, at this time, there were over 400 calls received; whereas this year the nuisance calls are only in the 2000's.
