Game and Fish kills bear that entered cabin and attacked teen in Alpine

Arizona Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

A black bear.

A 15-year-old boy was injured by a black bear in Alpine, Apache County.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department said the attack occurred while the boy was sitting in a cabin. The bear entered through an open door and struck him from behind.

The bear then approached other family members before returning to the victim and striking it in the arm a second time. Game wardens killed the animal – estimated to be three years old – and will examine the carcass for disease.

According to the agency, this is the 16th bear attack in the state since 1990. The Department of Game and Fisheries is calling on the public to be aware of their surroundings, especially in wilderness areas, and to protect food from bears.

The 15-year-old suffered injuries to his face and arm when the bear struck at him and was treated at a hospital in Alpine after the incident late Wednesday, the state Game and Fisheries Department said.

His mother, Carol Hawkins, told AZFamily TV that the bear attacked her son while he was alone watching television. Hawkins said her other son heard screaming and came to help. Conservation officials said the bear entered the house a second time before fleeing.

“Not many kids can say they fought a bear and won,” Hawkins said in a Facebook post that included a photo showing cuts on her son’s nose and arm. Hawkins did not respond to a Facebook message from The Associated Press on Saturday.

A 66-year-old man was killed nearly a year ago when he was attacked at a campground in the Groom Creek area, south of Prescott and about 100 miles north of Phoenix.