A Connecticut man suffered minor accidents after he took on a bear so the beast would cease going after his canine.
The Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety responded simply earlier than 6 a.m. Monday in North Canaan to a report of a bear assault that occurred when a person got here between a bear and his canine. The bear’s cubs have been additionally on the property.
In response to DEEP, the person sustained “scratches to the chest” and declined medical remedy on the scene. The person’s canine was unhurt. The person was not named.
DEEP mentioned there have been hen feeders on the property. The DEEP EnCon Police and workers from the Wildlife Division are following up on the incident, which stays below investigation.
“As Connecticut’s bear population continues to grow and expand, it is imperative for residents to reduce potential conflicts by properly managing outdoor food sources such as bird seed and other feeders, garbage, pet food, backyard chickens, and grills,” DEEP spokesperson James Fowler mentioned.
“Bears that access human-associated food often become food-conditioned and lose their natural fear of people, which can lead to increased risks and property damage. Residents with pets or walking dogs in areas with known bear activity should also maintain high awareness of their surroundings,” he mentioned.
“Carrying a bear deterrent, such as a bear whistle or bear spray, is recommended and we advise owners to keep their pets leashed, at all times, while on walks.”
“DEEP continues to encourage all residents to take proactive steps to help keep bears wild and communities safe,” Fowler concluded.
The variety of bear sightings reached 159 out of the state’s 169 cities and cities final 12 months, based on the 2025 “The State of the Bears,” an annual Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety publication that tracks their development.
The yearly report, which was launched in March, comes amid renewed curiosity in a black bear looking season, which was not permitted by the legislature thus far this 12 months. DEEP officers mentioned the black bear inhabitants stays steady, with between 1,000 and 1,200 bears, and has a excessive potential for development because of “an abundance of suitable habitat and excessive human-related food across their range.”
Beneath Connecticut legislation, you possibly can kill a bear in self-defense when you fairly consider it’s about to trigger severe hurt to you or another person or if it’s getting into a constructing with individuals inside, based on DEEP officers. As well as, a bear could also be killed whether it is injuring or killing one’s pet. But when a bear was shot and killed, it should be reported to DEEP, and legislation enforcement would examine every case.
The variety of severe conflicts involving bears can be on the rise, based on officers. Experiences of dwelling entries, livestock assaults, apiary and different agricultural injury, injury to automobiles and buildings, in addition to bodily altercations with pets and other people, are following a long-term upward development. In 2024, Connecticut skilled two bear assaults on people.
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