The Latest: Girl in fair condition after bear attack

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Latest on a bear attack in western Colorado: (all times local):

3:55 p.m.

A 5-year-old Colorado girl is hospitalized in fair condition after she was attacked by a bear outside her home.

The attack happened early Sunday near Grand Junction, about 240 miles (386 kilometres) west of Denver.

The girl’s mother told state wildlife officers that her daughter went outside around 2:30 a.m. to investigate noises she thought might be coming from her dog. The mother said she then heard screaming and went out to find her daughter being dragged by a large black bear. She says the bear dropped the girl after she began screaming at the animal.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Mike Porras said the girl suffered serious injuries and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital. She was listed in fair condition in the afternoon but chief operating officer Bryan Johnson says her family didn’t want to release any more information.

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10:05 p.m.

A 5-year-old Colorado girl is hospitalized with serious injuries after she was attacked by a bear outside her home.

The attack happened early Sunday near Grand Junction, about 240 miles (386 kilometres) west of Denver.

The girl’s mother told state wildlife officers that her daughter went outside around 2:30 a.m. to investigate noises she thought might be related to her dog. The mother said she then heard screaming and went out to find her daughter being dragged by a large black bear. She says the bear dropped the girl after she began screaming at the animal.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife says officers are tracking the bear with the help of federal wildlife officers.