By Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department Last weekend on a few occasions, our department received reports of bear sightings in the western parts of town. These are rather infrequent but can cause concern for some people. We provided some information for residents on Facebook during the week and I wanted to follow up here as well in the event someone encounters one of these animals. Bears are not a threat to people or pets under most circumstances. They move around frequently, especially at this time of year, in search of food. With ever increasing development, the opportunity to meet one or more of these animals increases. A great deal of information on bears is available on the Mass.gov website. The Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs provides the following: "If a bear is sighted in town, leave the animal alone. In most situations, if left alone, the bear will return to the forest on its own. Keep dogs under control. Stay away from the bear and advise others to do the same. Often a bear will climb a tree to avoid people. A gathering of people not only stresses the animal, but it adds the risk of having a bear chased out into traffic or into a group of bystanders." They also inform people that the mere presence of a bear in a populated area is not a public safety threat. These animals are most often in search of food. The best defense against this situation is to limit potential sources. If bears find a good source of food, they will spend more time there or even return later. The state suggests removing bird feeders if you experience any bears around your home or if you are in an area frequented by bears. Even empty feeders can provide some residual scents which can attract these animals. The state also suggests leaving garbage in closed containers and only putting it out for pickup on the scheduled days. Other potential food sources can include meat or vegetable scraps, extra grease in or around grills, and pet foods left outside. Any of these scents can attract them if they are in the area |
A few simple precautions can be all you need to limit interaction with bears. Again, in most instances they are not dangerous to people or pets. They are, however, wild animals. As such they have the potential to become defensive, especially if they are stressed or protecting cubs. If left alone, they will leave on their own and may not return if they cannot find a meal. You can "enjoy" the view but please limit the interactions.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
|