PETA Writes Letter to Victim of Bear Mauling, Tells Her to Reflect on the 'Horror of an Attack' Before Hunting Again

A representative for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals penned a letter on behalf of the organization to a bear mauling victim asking her to use the incident to rethink her position on hunting.

The letter, obtained by website We Are Central PA, was authored by Alicia Woempner, special projects division manager at PETA, to Camille Bomboy, 18.

"I am writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 3 million members and supporters, including thousands across Pennsylvania, to send our best wishes for your speedy recovery and ask you to take a few moments to reflect on this incident," Woempner wrote.

Camille Bomboy was the victim of a bear mauling Monday morning. (Image source: Facebook via We Are Central PA)

The 18-year-old was mauled by a mother bear Friday morning, reportedly suffering bite injuries and almost losing an ear before her father employed a rifle to scare the animal off.

"This seems to be a good opportunity to put yourself in the place of the individuals you and the rest of your hunting party were trying to kill," the letter said. "As terrifying as it must have been to be attacked by a bear, please consider the frightening and painful experiences that hunters set out to impose upon animals."

[sharequote align="center"]"...a good opportunity to put yourself in the place of the individuals you...were trying to kill."[/sharequote]

The letter added that it "would be a blessing if you were to abandon hunting and decide to live and let live" and noted "many animals endure prolonged, painful deaths when they're injured by hunters."

It concluded, "Now that you've experienced the horror of an attack—although this one was in self-defense—we hope you will choose to enjoy nature in only nonviolent ways. Thank you for your consideration."

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