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Published Oct 22, 2025 • 2 minute learn
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Joe Pendry used his expertise as a boxer to combat for his life when a mom grizzly attacked him, grabbed him by the top and inflicted horrific accidents in British Columbia’s East Kootenay area this month.
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His spouse, Janice Pendry, has described how her 63-year-old husband survived the assault that happened close to Fort Steele, northeast of Cranbrook, on Oct. 2 whereas he was searching elk and encountered the bear, which had two cubs.
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Pendry mentioned her husband shot the charging bear within the leg nevertheless it stored coming.
She mentioned he punched and even bit the animal’s ear as he fought for his life, struggling grotesque accidents that embody his lips and a part of his scalp being torn off, shedding a finger and struggling quite a few damaged bones.
Pendry mentioned her husband repeatedly punched the bear within the nostril, drawing on his boxing abilities, however the animal intensified its assault.
Pendry mentioned at one stage her husband’s head was within the animal’s mouth. “That’s when she tore his scalp off and did some main harm to his face,” she mentioned.
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Pendry mentioned her husband can also be recovering from a damaged nostril, damaged cheekbones, two damaged arms and damaged ribs.
He was ultimately capable of fend the animal off, calling 911 and his son for assist, and he was flown to Kelowna General Hospital, the place he’s undergone a number of surgical procedures to his face and different elements of his physique.
“It was very contact and go,” Pendry mentioned. “But he’s a tricky fighter.”
The BC Conservation Officer Service has mentioned a useless grizzly discovered within the space days later was chargeable for the assault, with Pendry saying she was informed it died of sepsis.
Pendry mentioned her husband’s experiences as a boxer and out of doors searching information “helped him out within the bush” and allowed him to beat the percentages.
“It saved his life, as a result of not many individuals … stay by means of a grizzly assault.”
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But Pendry additionally mentioned her husband faces an extended restoration and he’s experiencing signs of post-traumatic stress dysfunction.
She mentioned he “nonetheless desires concerning the bear” and should by no means have the ability to return to work as a foreman with a freeway upkeep firm.
Pendry mentioned the incident has additionally taken a toll on her. “But I’ve household which are supporting me,” she mentioned.
“I’ve good days, I’ve dangerous days,” she mentioned. “I by no means thought I’d must undergo this. I’m holding it collectively for everyone else. I’m making an attempt to be sturdy for everyone else, and I’m holding it inside. I believe someday, I’m going must let it out.”
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