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3-year-old girl attacked by black bear while sleeping in her family’s tent


3-year-old girl attacked by black bear while sleeping in her family’s tent

A 3-year-old girl is recovering after being attacked by a black bear in Montana, authorities said.

According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) officials, Madison Findley-Dickson was sleeping in a tent at a campground south of Red Lodge when the incident occurred around 10 p.m. local time on Sunday, August 11.

Findley-Dickson was taken to a medical facility about an hour away in Billings, where she is expected to be released on Tuesday, Aug. 13, CBS affiliate KTVQ reported.

The scene of the incident, Perry’s RV Park and Campground, was evacuated while authorities searched for the bear involved.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks employees later captured and killed a young black bear, but a spokesman said it was still unclear whether the animal was involved in the attack. Capture efforts were still ongoing Tuesday, the agency told NBC affiliate KECI-TV.

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Unsecured “bait” such as garbage, food and dirty diapers were found in the tent, FWP said.

“We always want to remind people to keep these items safe,” FWP’s Chrissy Webb told KTVQ. “That includes everything from garbage to food to scented toiletries. Keep those in a hard-sided vehicle or other certified bear-proof container to avoid cases like this where bears are attracted to a tent because there are items with an odor inside.”

An archive photo of a black bear.

Getty


In a GoFundMe campaign set up to cover costs, Carly Findley-Dickson said her daughter has a long road to recovery. The family was visiting Montana from Washington state at the time of the incident, according to KTVQ.

“As my husband is starting a new job, I need financial help as Madison has a lot of doctor’s appointments to recover,” the mother wrote.

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