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Black Bear Attacks Morgantown Area Woman

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (KDKA/AP) - A Morgantown area woman is recovering after being attacked by a black bear.

Kelly Dale tells The Dominion Post that she walked into a dangerous situation Wednesday night, when she found herself between a mother bear and its cub. The enraged bear swatted at her head and straddled her after knocking her down.

The attack lasted only about five seconds but left Dale with a lacerated scalp, bruised ribs and a sprained ankle.

Dale says that as a mother herself, she really can't blame the bear. In her words: "She was just doing what she was supposed to do."

Earlier this month, officials were investigating a bear sighting in Mt. Lebanon.

A black bear was seen leaving Mt. Lebanon and Castle Shannon, headed into Bethel Park. A Mt. Lebanon Police dash cam captured the bear running across the road.

The state game commission was notified.

"They are looking for food and they're looking for new territory," said Gary Fujak with the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Not too long after the Mt. Lebanon incident, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials were called to rescue a bear that found its way onto a barge in Clairton.

Discovered by some barge workers, the bear apparently tripped while walking along the ledge and couldn't get out. That's when the Pennsylvania Game Commission Officer Gary Fujak was summoned to the scene.

It's not believed to be the same bear that was spotted in Mt. Lebanon.

RELATED LINKS
Game Commission Rescues Wayward Bear Trapped On Barge
Officials Investigating Mt. Lebanon Bear Sighting

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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