Close Up Shot Focused on Yellow Tape Showing Text Police Line Do Not Cross. Restricted Area of a Crime Scene. Bokeh Background with Flickering Siren Lights. Forensics Team Working on a Case
A terrifying wildlife encounter unfolded over the weekend in Barron County, Wisconsin, when 69-year-old Karen Frye was viciously attacked by a black bear outside her rural home near Comstock.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Saturday and has since prompted a multi-agency search for the animal, which remains at large.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Frye sustained serious injuries in the attack and was transported to a nearby hospital, where she is now reported to be in stable condition and recovering.
Officials described the bear’s behavior as a “sustained series of aggressive actions”—a rarity among black bears, which typically avoid humans unless startled, threatened, or trying to protect their young or food sources.
“This kind of aggression is highly unusual for black bears,” said Randy Johnson, a large carnivore specialist with the DNR. “While bears can be defensive, this level of sustained aggression suggests a dangerous pattern.”
In response to the incident, DNR officials have set up multiple live traps around the area in hopes of safely capturing the bear. Should they locate the correct animal, humane euthanasia is planned, which Johnson said is not always standard practice but is warranted based on current evidence.
“Our actions in these types of situations are very carefully determined based upon the totality of the known evidence of each event,” Johnson explained. “Although we’re still working to piece together every element of what transpired, we know enough to proceed with efforts to euthanize this bear if captured.”
The bear’s cub—believed to have been present during the attack—was reportedly seen in a tree near the scene shortly after the incident. Officials say if the cub is captured, it will be relocated and released into the wild, as it is believed to be old enough to survive independently.
As of Monday afternoon, neither the sow nor the cub had been successfully captured. If other bears are inadvertently trapped during the search, they will be released unharmed, the DNR confirmed.
The bear will be tested for rabies and other diseases upon capture and euthanasia, as a precautionary measure due to the severity of the attack. The incident remains under active investigation, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local law enforcement agencies, who are collaborating closely to track and trap the bear.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of living near wildlife habitats, particularly during spring and summer months when bears are more active and potentially traveling with cubs.
Black bear attacks on humans are rare in Wisconsin, but the DNR urges residents in bear country to take extra precautions—especially when disposing of food waste, securing garbage, and maintaining awareness of surroundings while outdoors.
As Karen Frye continues to heal, the community remains on alert while officials work diligently to locate the bear and prevent any further incidents. Anyone in the Comstock area who sees a bear or observes unusual wildlife behavior is encouraged to contact the Wisconsin DNR or local authorities immediately.
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