CLAVERACK, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Bears are increasing out of their core populations over the previous few many years as a rise in forest cowl has meant a extra appropriate habitat. Bear assaults may develop into extra prevalent as one Columbia County lady has discovered this week when her pet donkey was attacked and mauled to demise.

“It was a brutal horrible demise,” stated Laura-Ann Camissa.

Laura-Ann Camissa takes in undesirable donkeys to her house in Claverack New York and her pet donkey Lucy is the most recent in bear tragedies throughout the state.

“Lucy was very petite and really endearing. She simply drew all people in, and he or she was like, she regarded like a child donkey as a result of she was so small,” remembers Camissa.

“Lucy was one of many specialist donkeys I’ve ever met in my life,” stated 9-year-old Kira Friedman.

Camissa says it was round 11:30 Monday night time when she final stated her goodnights to her beloved animals. Lucy and her companion Ricky together with two different donkeys that had been protected when she left their pen.

“She has the loudest bray of any of the donkeys. She was the smallest with the most important mouth. And he or she was superior. She was actually a love. We’ll actually miss her and Ricky will actually miss her so much, ” continued Camissa.

The bear returned Tuesday and Camissa’s husband sprang into motion.

“About two hours after we buried her the bear got here again into the paddock and I caught him at I used to be in the home, and I caught him at out of the nook of my eye He was strolling by way of my husband got here out and chased him away He hopped over the fence”

Lucy was buried on the property in a ultimate resting place not removed from her pen.

Camissa telling us that is the primary time in over 30 years she has seen a bear, saying she was doing all she thought she may to discourage bears.

“We had been taking in hen feeders at night time as a result of we all know that attracted bears. However I didn’t know that the seeds on the bottom additionally entice bears we don’t have rubbish pails or something round in order that has not been a problem for us. However we’re not feeding the birds anymore aside from within the winter months since we’ve been suggested,” stated Camissa.

The DEC web site has methods to maintain your interactions with bears as protected as doable. With such options as the next:

The DOs:

• Use noise to scare bears away by yelling, clapping, or bang on pots.

• Keep calm, stroll slowly, and communicate in a peaceful voice.

• Go away slowly. Cautiously again away and depart the realm.

The Do-nots:

• Strategy surrounds or nook bears. Bears will defend themselves aggressively once they really feel threatened. Be very cautious round cubs. Moms are extraordinarily protecting

• Don’t run from the bear. They could chase you.

• Don’t throw backpack or meals bag at bear. This may encourage bears to bully folks to get meals. By instructing bears to strategy people for meals, you’re endangering your self and others.

Camissa now has plans to guard her pets.

“We’re placing an electrical fence on prime of the present fence that we’ve that has served as effectively for 31 years however apparently not this yr and we’re getting all types of digicam safety techniques that ring to your cellphone,” says Camissa.

Friedman telling NEWS 10 she has grown up with Lucy and cherished her dearly, however she understands the circle of life.

“I like animals of all types. Typically I get fearful of bears, particularly. However, additionally in my thoughts deep down I at all times assume, effectively bears are part of nature. So, I simply go together with it. And I reside with it. I reside within the nation and that’s part of life,” says Kira.

The love for Lucy is shared by neighbors, household and associates and her reminiscence will go on.

“Lucy is superior. I’ll always remember her. She and all the opposite ones, they’ll all miss her additionally. As a lot as I’ll,” stated Friedman.

“However you realize, I imagine there’s a spot for all animals in nature. However I don’t assume there’s a spot for bears who killed donkeys. So, it’s a troublesome selection,” stated Camissa.