Hiker, dog chased by black bear on trail near Lake Whatcom

A black bear chased a hiker and her dog along a trail north of Lake Whatcom in Whatcom County on Saturday.

At approximately 10:50 a.m., Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officers received a report of the black bear incident, the agency announced.

The incident involved a woman who was hiking along the trail with her leashed dog.

WDFW officers and dogs attempted to locate the black bear but were unsuccessful. Officers will continue to monitor the immediate area where the black bear was seen with increased patrols.

WDFW urges hikers to carry bear spray, leash pets

Officials noted that bears tend to avoid people in general, but they are naturally curious animals. If a bear walks toward you, it is advised that you identify yourself as a human by standing up, waving your hands above your head, and talking in a low voice.

People should also back away, avoid direct eye contact, and never run away from a bear. WDFW also recommended making noise and leashing pets while hiking.

Officials also advised being aware of your surroundings to not accidentally startle a bear. It is also recommended that people carry bear spray that is readily accessible and know how to use it when recreating.

Additional information on how to use bear spray is available here.

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest