Woman in Butler Township recovering attacked by bear

Channel 11 updated Lee Ann Galante and her dog Smokie here about the horrific bear attack outside their home about two months ago. Galante said they are both doing really well and are happy things are getting back to normal.

>> Woman attacked by bear in Butler Township

“That wouldn’t stop me or get me down. I can get over it,” Lee Ann Galante said. “It’s just some fear and pain.”

Galante beamed when Channel 11 reached out to her on Friday. She has made great progress since that horrific attack. On March 5, Galante let her dog Smokie out, unaware that there was a bear and its three cubs in her backyard. The bear attacked both of them. The bear injured Galante in the face, head and arm as he tried to save Smokie. He had a small scratch mark on his back that has disappeared.

“He’s fine. He never missed a moment,” he said. “It’s like they’re just part of the family. I couldn’t let a part of him be torn away.”

Galante soon had to undergo facial surgery to repair some broken bones. Aside from some pain and some scarring, she has had a remarkable recovery.

“It’s right here on my lip. It’s definitely a little battle scar,” Galante said.

She thanks everyone for the overwhelming support that helped her heal quickly.

“I am very blessed. “People came out of nowhere and sent me cards and all prayers,” Galante said.

She said her family’s trip to Italy a few weeks after the attack really helped her move forward. She also wore a T-shirt that read, “I survived a bear attack. ‘What’s your superpower?’ The only thing that has changed, however, is that she is extra careful when letting Smokie out.

“I haven’t had any nightmares and I’m not afraid to go outside. I think I’ll look around a bit more,” Galante said. We hold him until the coast clears and then set him down. I just wonder if he appreciates it and think, “Hey, that’s the lady who saved my life.”

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