Category: Animals

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 27, 2026 Number of comments0
Animals Blind Disability Japan

Visually impaired woman sues for 1.7M Yen after unleashed dog attacks guide dog, causing fall

A lawsuit is being heard at the Imabari branch of the Matsuyama District Court in which a visually impaired woman is seeking approximately 1.7 million yen in damages from a dog owner, alleging that she fell and was injured after an unleashed dog approached her guide dog.
In an interview with Yomiuri Shimbun, the plaintiff stressed, “If you fall on a public road, there’s a risk of being hit by a car, could be life-threatening.” She added, “I want people to understand how dangerous it is to interfere with a guide dog while it is guiding.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Animals Care Disability Elderly Japan Podcast

73-Year-Old Woman Dies Almost Three Weeks After Bear Attack Outside Akita Care Home for Disabled [Podcast Episode]

Hideko Miura, 73 was found bleeding and collapsed near the entrance to Tsutsuji, a group home for the intellectually disabled in Uesugi, Kitaakita City, around 11:00 PM on the 31st of July. Based on injuries to her head and face, it was suggested that she had been attacked by a bear. Miura was reportedly unconscious when transported to the hospital, but never regained consciousness and passed away on the morning of August 20th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 23, 2025 Number of comments0
Animals Disability Elderly Japan

Elderly and Disabled Among Victims in Recent Bear Attacks Across Japan

A 73-year-old woman living in a group home for people with intellectual disabilities in Akita has died from injuries sustained in a bear attack, marking the prefecture’s first such fatality this year. Her death follows a series of incidents across Japan in July in which an 81-year-old woman was killed in Iwate and two other elderly women were injured in separate attacks in Aomori and Nara, underscoring how recent bear encounters have disproportionately affected elderly and disabled residents.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 23, 2025 Number of comments0
Animals Barrier Free Disability Elderly Japan

Japan to Help Local Govts Deal with Bears

Japan’s Environment Ministry plans to boost support to secure and train local government employees dealing with bear incidents, following the recent string of bear sightings and bear-inflicted injuries. The ministry will seek 3.7 billion yen in its fiscal 2026 budget request to cover costs for measures to handle wildlife species designated for control, including bears.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 6, 2025 Number of comments0
Animals Care Disability Japan Podcast Welfare

Bear attacks woman outside home for people with disabilities in Akita [Podcast Episode]

A woman was sent to hospital unconscious after an apparent bear attack outside a facility for people with disabilities, police said on Friday. More and more wild bears have been spotted in residential areas in Japan in recent years, resulting in a rising number of attacks and deaths. “A 73-year-old woman was found lying down with head injuries at the facility entrance on Thursday night,” a local police spokesman in Akita Prefecture said. Emergency doctors told police they believed it was a bear attack based on the injuries the woman suffered, the spokesman said.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 5, 2025 2
Animals Disability Japan Welfare

Bear attacks woman outside disabled home in Akita  

A woman was sent to hospital unconscious after an apparent bear attack outside a facility for people with disabilities, police said on Friday.
More and more wild bears have been spotted in residential areas in Japan in recent years, resulting in a rising number of attacks and deaths. “A 73-year-old woman was found lying down with head injuries at the facility entrance on Thursday night,” a local police spokesman in Akita Prefecture said. Emergency doctors told police they believed it was a bear attack based on the injuries the woman suffered, the spokesman said.