Woman attacked by moose while walking dog in Boulder County
Kara Van HooseNortheast Region Public Information Officer
303-829-7143 / [email protected]
Sept 20, 2023
Woman attacked by moose while walking dog near Ward
WARD, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a moose attack on a woman who was walking her dog on the South Saint Vrain Trail north of Ward. The woman and her dog surprised a moose on the trail Wednesday morning. The cow moose charged the woman, headbutting and stomping on her several times. She was able to walk to a nearby neighbor’s house, where they called Boulder County deputies. The woman was transported to a local hospital. The dog has minor injuries, and the neighbor reported it was leashed.
Wildlife officers responded to the area and were unable to find the moose. Officers placed signs near the trail warning visitors of a potentially aggressive moose in the area.
When hiking in riparian habitats, hikers should be aware moose may be in the area resting or eating. Moose can perceive dogs as a threat, and CPW encourages dog owners to keep them on-leash at all times to avoid confrontations. Cow moose can become particularly aggressive when their calf is nearby.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.