Couple Fatally Shoots Bear That Charged Through Window And Attacked Them Inside Home

Medford -- A Wisconsin couple said they shot a bear to death after the animal charged into their home and attacked them.

Both the husband and wife sustained injuries. Their children were home at the time but remained unharmed.

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office (TCSO) said the Friday incident took place around 11 p.m. at the couple’s home near Medford. The husband and wife first spotted the female bear eating from their bird feeder, according to NBC Chicago. They opened a window and yelled at the animal to try and scare it away, but instead of leaving, the bear charged into the house through the window.

“The bear immediately turned and charged at the house, breaking through the window and into the house and immediately attacked," TCSO said, according to CNN.

Authorities said the husband and wife were both attacked inside the house. They suffered several bites while trying to fight the bear off and, at one point, stabbed the bear using a kitchen knife. The husband eventually managed to get hold of a firearm and shoot the bear.

The couple’s children, who were asleep in their bedrooms during the attack, were unharmed.

The bear was identified as an adult female and did not survive the incident. Authorities said the animal appeared to have a cub as it entered the couple’s property. The cub ran away when the bear charged at the house.

The couple received medical treatment for their injuries and were later released from the hospital, TCSO said.

The deceased animal was taken for testing by the Department of Natural Resources, TCSO added. Authorities did not reveal details about what kind of bear it was.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources previously said in a press release that bears are “shy” around humans and generally afraid of them. Although it is rare for bears to display aggressive behavior, the department said they may be defensive if they are startled or if they are protecting a cub or a food source.

If one comes in contact with a bear, the department recommended shouting at the animal if it doesn’t leave. They also recommended honking a car horn or banging pots and pans to scare the bear away. It is also important to make sure the bear always has a safe escape route, the department added.