Bear attacks elderly man inside home in Pine

A 71-year-old man and his wife heard rustling in their home Monday night in Pine, and the couple came face to face with a hungry bear and her cub.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office shared the story on Facebook as a warning Tuesday. According to the post, a mother bear and her cub entered the home and started eating a loaf of bread.

After hearing the noises, the husband found and confronted the bears in the home — that’s when the female bear attacked him. The sheriff’s office says he punched the bear while his wife hit the bear with a baseball bat until they both ran out.

According to the post, the bears had entered through a screen door and left through the same door.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife sent out an update Tuesday afternoon saying that the sow was found nearby after being tracked by dogs and wildlife officers. The bear was euthanized about 900 yards from the home where the attack occurred, CPW said. The cub hasn’t been located yet.

The sheriff’s office sent out a warning to be safe and keep your home and car secured because bears are currently filling up on food to prepare for the winter.

Pine is southwest of Denver.