Crime & Safety

DEEP Shoots Bear in Keney Park

According to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the bear had a history of agressive behavior toward people.

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The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced it shot and killed a black bear in Keney Park Wednesday.

According to DEEP, officials decided to euthanize the bear upon learning the bear, which chased a Barkhamsted resident into their cellar, was seen in Keney Park, which stretched from Hartford into Windsor's southern end.

The bear had a history of aggressive behavior toward people, and, according to DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen, "Once bears become aggressive like this, they can no longer be safely relocated."

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According to a statement released by the state agency, the bear was a `8-20-month male weighing about 150 pounds. The bear was tagged "B-2."

DEEP officials said the bear "was shot and killed when it moved into heavy brush in a remote area of the park."

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Earlier this month, DEEP officials euthanized a bear originally tagged in Windsor. The "B-1" bear was deemed "a problem bear in Madison prior to being killed by authorities.

Whalen is urging residents to refrain from feeding bears in both intentional and unintentional ways. If food is left available for a bear to access, "It will become habituated and lose its fear of people, and (the bear) will eventually have to be dispatched," she said.

According to DEEP, there are approximately 500 bears in the state and the population is on the rise.

The agency received close to 3,000 reports of bear sightings from 122 of the state's 169 towns.

For safety, DEEP offers the following guidelines with respect to the state's bear population:

  • Never feed bears.
  • Take down, clean, and put away birdfeeders by late March.  Store the feeders until late fall.  Clean up spilled seed from the ground.
  • Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or storage area.  Double bagging and adding ammonia to cans and bags will reduce odors that attract bears.  Periodically clean garbage cans with ammonia to reduce residual odor.  Garbage for pickup should be put outside the morning of collection and not the night before.
  • Avoid leaving pet food outdoors at night.
  • Keep barbecue grills clean. Store grills inside a garage or shed.
  • Avoid placing meat scraps or sweet foods in compost piles.
  • Protect beehives, livestock, and berry bushes from bears with electric fencing.
  • Supervise dogs at all times when outside.  Keep dogs on a leash when walking and hiking.  A roaming dog might be perceived as a threat to a bear or its cubs.

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