BEAR LIKELY ATTACKS CALHOUN BURRO

(08/22/2007)

Keith Lynch nursing his injured burro after apparent bear attack Attack rips side and leg of burro, requiring a large number of stitches by Dr. Joe Cain A two-year-old Jerusalem burro at Joker was apparently attacked by a bear Friday night, according to long-time Calhoun veterinarian Dr. Joe Cain. "The wound is from large claws," Dr. Cain said. "It came really close to killing it," said owner Keith Lynch, saying the family dogs started barking about 11 p.m. Friday, the burro was in a lot adjacent to his house. "I've never seen anything like it in my 50 years in the county," said Dr. Cain, who was summoned Saturday to treat and suture the animal. "It was some really serious tear wounds from claws on its side and leg, tearing through the muscles," he said. Lynch could only speculate why the attack happened. "Maybe the bear had some cubs or there was something wrong with the bear," he said. Burros are mixed with other farm animals as protectors. Bear in Calhoun or West Virginia rarely make contact with humans or livestock. The bear population is increasing over the years, according to the Department of natural Resources. Sightings of bear in packs are more frequent in the Bear Fork wilderness.

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