Posted on 12/02/2013 9:22:59 PM PST by sheikdetailfeather
LONGWOOD, Fla. —
A Longwood woman was out walking her dogs when she was attacked by a bear Monday night, according to the Seminole County Fire Department.
(Excerpt) Read more at wftv.com ...
correction: confustion s/b confusion
Well — there is their problem — they’re just not getting enough sleep.
Florida animal control needs to start lacing those trash bins with Ambien.
LOL! I had one come on my porch and my cat was hiding behind a black pot. The bear wanted the cat food and I was afraid he would go for the cat next so I opened and closed my front door slightly several times to make the bear nervous. I was yelling at the bear to get out. The bear dropped the dish and backed out. I then took some wooden spoons and beat on the pet carrier loudly and the bear looked behind him like I was crazy and walked off. LOL!!! After that I started putting Pine Sol around on the porch and I have not seen him since.
Wildlife advises we make ourselves big and talk firm and back away if we see a black bear. They said if we run, they could view you as prey.
UPDATE:
(excerpt)
FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker said Tuesday morning that Chalfant’s family members said she was walking her two small dogs in the neighborhood when both dogs became agitated.
Chalfant turned around to walk back toward her house, but didn’t see the bear until it knocked her down, family members told FWC officials.
Chalfant ran to a neighbor’s house on English Ivy Court around 8:05 p.m. Monday night after she was attacked by the bear, according to Seminole County Fire Rescue Lt.
(excerpt)
An bear biologist set up a trap in the yard where the bear was last seen, FWC officials said, adding that the trap would be monitored throughout the day.
This is not the first documented bear attack in FWC’s history. That was recorded in March 2012 when Terri Gurley of Seminole County was bitten by a female bear as she, too, walked her dog one morning.
There was some question at the time whether Gurley’s dog could have provoked the 300-pound bear, whose cub was nearby. FWC captured and euthanized the mother bear nearly a week after the attack.
FWC officials say that if you encounter a bear, stand upright and speak assertively while backing away slowly. Let the bear know you are getting out of its space. Do not run, climb a tree or play dead. If a fight ensues, fight back
I knew it. The agitated dogs are what set the bear off.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers are giving an update on a bear attack on a Seminole County woman who was out walking her dog Monday night.
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LIVE updates
1:30 p.m.
Parker confirms someone in the neighborhood was feeding foxes, but she said she stopped six months ago.
Salberg said feeding bears is a second-degree misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500.
1:25 p.m.
Parker explains each bear complaint is taken on a case-by-case basis.
Parker says the best thing to do if you are confronted by a bear is to make yourself look as “big” as you possibly can, and yell at the bear to make as much noise as you can as you move to a safer area.
1:22 p.m.
Parker said traps are being set up around the area to attempt to catch the bear.
She said there were 707 bear reports in 2012 in the Seminole County area. From Jan. 1–Sept. 18, 2013, there have been 209 bear complaints.
Parker said they are talking with neighbors to remind them of the rules on securing their trash.
FWC Officer Lenny Salberg said investigators cannot interview the victim at this time because of her condition.
1:20 p.m.
FWC Officer Karen Parker explains a woman was seriously injured by a bear around 8 p.m. in Longwood. The victim [identified earlier as Susan Chalfont, 54] remains in the hospital.
Parker said the bear knocked the woman to the ground while she was walking her two dogs. Neighbors ran to help the woman after the bear left.
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