Maple Ridge RCMP say officers acted reasonably in their response to bear attack

MAPLE Ridge RCMP said on Monday that their officers “acted reasonably based on the circumstances and information available to them to protect public safety” when they shot and killed a bear they suspected was the one that attacked a three-year-old child on Sunday. Necropsy results indicate the dead bear was not responsible for the attack.

The RCMP said in a statement: “Maple Ridge RCMP is aware of the community’s concern regarding the recent bear attack and police response on August 9, 2026. While we value our local wildlife, our officers must also act when faced with an immediate threat to public safety. Following the attack on a three-year-old child, a bear was observed multiple times in the same area within approximately 40 minutes, including on residential properties where people were outside. Based on the information available at the time, officers reasonably believed it was the same bear involved in the attack and made the decision to dispatch the animal to prevent further injury or loss of life.

“We have since been advised by the BC Conservation Officer Service that necropsy results indicate the deceased bear was not responsible for the attack. However, that information was not available at the time, and officers acted reasonably based on the circumstances and information available to them to protect public safety. The loss of any wildlife is significant, and decisions of this nature are never taken lightly. Our thoughts remain with the child, their family, and all those affected by this incident.”

As the VOICE reported on Sunday, at approximately 11:30 a.m. on August 9, Maple Ridge RCMP responded to a report of three-year-old child being attacked by a bear outside her family’s residence in the 12300 block of 240 Street. 

Officers immediately arrived on scene and secured the area for Emergency Health Services. The child was transported to hospital via air ambulance out of an abundance of caution due to her age. She sustained non-life-altering injuries.   

While officers were on scene, the bear returned to the residence and the immediate area multiple times, showing a high degree of interest in the location. At approximately 12 p.m., officers came into contact with the bear. As the bear had showed signs of aggression and already attacked a small child, officers made the decision to discharge a firearm in an effort to protect public safety in the immediate area. The bear was struck but continued to flee into a wooded area.

BC Conservation Officers soon arrived on scene and were assisted by RCMP officers with attempts to re-locate the animal as well as advise residents to remain in their homes.