40-year-old Andrew Nierer was attacked by a bear Sunday, Jan. 19 on his way home.
Nierer’s neighbor, Mike Bramnick saw what was happening, and he shot the bear, saving Nierer’s life. In an interview, Mike Bramich, Nierer’s neighbor, said, “It just up and jumped on him and grabbed him by the arm and wrestling him around here; I had no choice but to kill the bear, so that’s what I did.” The bear was a smaller Black bear. In an interview, Nierer says he’s feeling okay and understands the animal was simply looking for food.
In the interview, Nierer says, “but I think number one she was scared because she was just down at the market trying to get into the market. They’re hungry. They’re starving. They’re supposed to be in hibernation. This weather is weird lately. Hot, cold, warm, cold. Emotional, I’m not drained from it. Just part of life, move on. It could’ve been a lot worse. Luckily he saved me, he shot it. I feel bad for the bear ’cause they really do not bother you that much. Just, anything happens.”
Nierer was examined by Lehighton EMS before being sent to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment. The bear bit Nierer on his left arm and scratched him.
At this time Nierer is at home recovering from his injuries and his neighbor was unharmed.
The bear was tested for rabies and a recent report showed that the bear indeed had rabies. Thankfully, treatment has proven to be nearly 100% effective at preventing the disease if someone is exposed, as long as it happens before symptoms start.
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