Arizona game wardens shoot, kill bear that attacked teen

ALPINE, Ariz. (AP) — A black bear was shot and killed by Arizona Game and Fish officers after entering a home through an open door and injuring a teenager in a mountain community near the border in the state of New Mexico, wildlife officials said.

The 15-year-old boy suffered injuries to his face and arm when the bear hit him, and he was treated at a hospital after Wednesday's incident in Alpine, the Department of Fish and Game said of State.

His mother, Carol Hawkins, told AZFamily TV in Phoenix that the bear attacked her son while he was alone and watching television. Hawkins said her other son heard screaming and went to help. Wildlife officials said the bear entered the house a second time before running away.

“Not many kids can say they got into a fight with a bear and came out on top,” Hawkins said in a Facebook post that included a photo showing cuts on her son's nose and arm . Hawkins did not respond to a Facebook message from The Associated Press on Saturday.

Wildlife officers found and shot the bear, which the agency said was believed to be about 3 years old and would be tested for the disease by department specialists.

It was the 16th attack by bears on people in the state since wildlife officials began keeping records in 1990, two of which were fatal, the department said.

A 66-year-old man was killed nearly a year ago when he was attacked at a campsite in the Groom Creek area, south of Prescott and about 100 miles north of Phoenix.