Black Bear Attacks New York Boy Playing in Backyard

A black bear attacked and injured a 7-year-old boy in the backyard of his Bedford, New York, home.

According to Fox 5 New York, the boy went into his backyard to play just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, when the bear attacked.

First responders rushed to the home where they found the boy being treated by his parent for his injuries.

The adolescent black bear was still lurking nearby as the boy received treatment.

"Our concern was he did not retreat. At one point he did advance. When you have that many human beings, an animal of that kind would normally retreat, and it did not," North Castle police chief Peter Simonsen said.

The North Castle police shot and killed the bear, which was taken to the state department where it will be tested for rabies.

The NYS Department of Environmental conservation will now bring him to the state department where he will be tested for rabies.

Simonsen encourages parents to watch their children and pets, but is also praising the boy's parents for rushing in to save their child while that bear watched and waited.

"That's extremely brave. That's what parents do though. That's what good parents do."

The boy received treatment at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.