News Summary
A 300-pound black bear attacked three dogs in a fenced Asheville backyard, injuring them severely. Homeowner Sybriea Lundy expressed safety concerns for her children and local residents, highlighting an increase in bear encounters. The escalating bear population and results of improper food storage are contributing factors to wildlife interactions. Following the incident, Lundy incurred $3,400 in veterinary bills for her dogs’ treatment, prompting a call for preventive measures among neighbors.
Asheville, North Carolina – An incident involving a black bear and three dogs occurred in an Asheville backyard on June 9, 2025, leading to severe injuries for the animals and concerns for homeowner Sybriea Lundy regarding safety in her neighborhood.
A 300-pound black bear climbed into Lundy’s fenced backyard, triggering a violent encounter with her three dogs. The confrontation involved intense scuffling, resulting in injuries that required immediate veterinary attention. One dog, named Sadie, suffered extensive injuries, including a severed tongue that needed stitching, while another dog, King, sustained a significant puncture wound to his chest.
The chaos ensued while Lundy briefly stepped inside her home. Initially, she believed her dogs were chasing after a groundhog, but the situation was much more perilous. Lundy was soon alerted to the danger when she heard the commotion outside. As the dogs chased the bear back up a tree, they managed to thwart the animal’s advance after it had dragged Sadie across the yard.
Following the attack, Lundy rushed her injured dogs to the veterinarian, incurring medical bills totaling $3,400 as she sought care for their injuries. Lundy has since expressed her concerns for her children’s safety, stating they will no longer be allowed outside unattended, highlighting the growing anxiety among local residents regarding wildlife encounters.
According to wildlife experts, the bear likely entered the yard in search of food and was equally surprised by the presence of the dogs. Asheville has seen a rise in bear encounters over the past decade, with many dog owners feeling secure letting their pets play in enclosed backyards. This sense of security, however, overlooks the potential risks posed by the increasing bear population in the area.
Reports indicate a direct correlation between the growing number of black bears and the availability of abundant food sources, such as bird feeders and improperly stored garbage. Residents are increasingly facing escalated interactions between dogs and bears, as well as between bears and humans. These encounters can be particularly dangerous, as demonstrated by the recent incident in Lundy’s yard.
Currently, Lund’s dogs are recovering from their injuries, but the effects of the encounter have left a lasting impression on the family, with heightened vigilance surrounding outdoor activities. As the bear population continues to thrive in Asheville, it serves as a reminder for homeowners to remain aware of their surroundings and the wildlife that may be encroaching on residential areas.
The Asheville community is advised to take preventive measures, such as securing garbage, feeding pets indoors, and removing bird feeders after the season to help mitigate the risks posed by bears in the neighborhood.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Resident’s Dogs Injured in Violent Bear Encounter
Man Sentenced in Asheville Dog Stabbing Incident
Additional Resources
- WLOS: Dogs Fight Black Bear in Asheville
- WSOC TV: Woman Rushes Dogs to Vet After Bear Encounter
- Charlotte Observer: Black Bear Encounters in North Carolina
- Wikipedia: Black Bear
- Google Search: Black Bears in Asheville
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
