Summary:
- A bear attacked a seven-year-old boy playing in his backyard in a New York City suburb.
- Police were forced to take down the bear as it did not retreat despite attempts to scare it away.
- The child sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital.
- Bear attacks are rare, but an increase in bear activity is common in spring and summer.
- Connecticut passed a bill banning the intentional feeding of bears and allowing for bear removal in specific cases.
- The bear responsible for the attack is being tested for rabies.
A terrifying encounter in a New York City suburb where a bear attacked a seven-year-old boy playing in his backyard.
The Unwelcome Visitor
Police say when they arrived at the home in Bedford the bear was still there and didn't run off despite attempts to scare it away, eventually forcing officers to take the wild animal down.
Bravery Amidst Danger
Our concern was he did not retreat. So at one point he did advance and when you have that many human beings I would think that an animal of that kind would normally retreat and it did not. The child was treated by first responders and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Bear Activity on the Rise
Bear attacks are extremely rare and according to experts an increase in bear activity in the spring and summer is common when the animals are in search of food.
Preventing Bear Encounters
Sometimes the hungry animals look for their next meals from garbage cans or even bird feeders. You have to keep the garbage secure so that you're not bringing the bears from the woods into your neighborhood.
Legal Measures Against Bear Feeding
In Connecticut, the governor signed a bill in June not only banning the intentional feeding of bears but giving permission to kill the animals in specific cases, including if someone believes it could cause great bodily harm to a person. It comes as the state saw an uptick in bear encounters this year.
Rabies Testing Underway
Back in New York, officials say the bear who attacked that seven-year-old boy is now being tested for rabies. This is the first incident of its kind that I've ever been part of or you know in our area.
Bear-human encounters are a rare but sobering reality in areas where wildlife habitats intersect with residential neighborhoods. Vigilance, secure garbage disposal, and responsible measures to coexist with these magnificent creatures are essential to ensure the safety of both humans and bears in such environments.