A Pennsylvania woman, Lee Ann Galante, miraculously survived a terrifying encounter with a black bear in her backyard while letting her dog out. Galante, 55, recalled the harrowing attack where the bear charged at her, knocking her down and inflicting serious injuries. Despite the ordeal, Galante managed to get herself and her dog, Smokie, safely back inside the house and called 911 for help.
Galante described her injuries, including staples on the back of her head, a broken nose, cuts in her mouth, puncture wounds on her arm, and scrapes and scratches all over. She was initially treated at Butler Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for further care.
The incident occurred after her neighbors had captured a mother bear and her cubs on home cameras in the area. The Pennsylvania Game Commission euthanized the mother bear due to continued aggression, while the cubs were tranquilized and will be released in another location.
Despite the trauma, Galante expressed gratitude that her dog, Smokie, only sustained minor scratches and that they still have each other. She emphasized the bear’s strength and aggressive behavior during the attack.
The town of Butler, where the incident took place, is located about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. Galante’s story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife encounters and the need to remain cautious when living in areas with bears.
Antonio Planas, a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital, contributed to this report.