GREAT FALLS, Va. — The Kelly’s have never seen a bear on their River Park Lane property. However, after returning home one night, their dog Blue was found with a giant claw mark on his back.
Police in Fairfax County have been investigating a potential bear attack on the poor six-year-old rescue dog, Blue.
When the Kelly’s returned home on Tuesday and discovered their dog bleeding, they brought him to a local vet the next morning with what they thought was a wound caused by a raccoon. The vet discovered otherwise.
Blue’s wounds were consistent with an attack by a bear in “defensive mode”.
“This dog was very, very lucky to have escaped with its life,” Richard Kelly said. “We could have come home to find a dead dog with its fur torn up.”
Unfortunately, there had been no witnesses in the attack. Fairfax County Animal Services Division spokeswoman Katherine Edwards says that without a witness it’s difficult to say exactly what caused such a large wound on Blue’s back. Edwards did say that there have been bears spotted in Fairfax County and Great Falls in recent days.
Regardless, Kelly is now concerned about his family spending time outside.
“I cannot have my children playing out here, shooting hoops, running around my own front yard after dark until this problem is solved,” he said.
Blue is expected to make a full recovery.
The National park Service wants to remind residents that if they see a bear make yourself look large, back away slowly and then call the police.
