According to security camera footage posted on social media, a father in Pennsylvania is counting his lucky stars when he was bitten on the head by a bear he saw in his garage last week.
Facebook users Lori and John Swartz from Danville, Pennsylvania, posted a video of the attack on Thursday night.
In one video, the bear is shown ambling through their lawn, onto their porch, and into the garage area, where it is out of the camera’s line of sight and close to a car.
Another video captures the instant Swartz’s two cats run to greet him as he enters the garage from behind the vehicle. A few moments later, he appears to see the bear lunge at him as it runs out of the garage, and he flies backward. He scurries to his feet, grasps his forehead, and retreats quickly back inside the house.
Swartz informed NorthcentralPA.com that he suffered bruises all over his body and severe bite marks on his skull.
The 60-year-old said that he had entered the garage to turn off a hose, but at first, he was unable to see the bear since it was dark. He thinks the stench of rubbish in the garage attracted the animal.
According to Swartz, who spoke with the outlet, he thought the bear was spooked by the squeak of the hose valve; he then felt an impact and heard a snarl.
“I knew I had an injury, so I grabbed my head,” Swartz told the site.
Before scurrying back inside, he claimed to have felt the animal rush by him. His horrified spouse then dialed 911. They saw the bear, which he described as tall, slender, and weighing about 250 pounds, close to their RV as they were waiting for an ambulance. The couple has been contacted by NBC News for more information.
According to Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Adam Reed, Swartz sustained cuts and puncture wounds to his legs and head on Wednesday.
Swartz told NorthcentralPA.com, “I’m going to be a little careful of my surroundings from now on.”
The bear fled the house, but state police indicated that the Pennsylvania Game Commission had set up a trap, which was allegedly baited with doughnuts and sweet syrup.
It is unclear if the animal has been apprehended thus far. The Game Commission has been contacted by NBC News for a statement.
A black bear assaulted a man in Idaho on Monday while he was opening his garage door in a similar event.
A sow black bear with a youngster is believed to have injured the Teton Valley man, according to a news release from Idaho Fish and Game. Officials stated that the bear and her cub, who were found in the neighborhood, “were lethally removed in the interest of public safety.”
Although grizzlies and black bears can be found in Idaho, according to Idaho Fish and Game, these attacks are “uncommon.” Nevertheless, people should exercise caution when living in or visiting bear area.