Traps to be set after black bear attacks, kills pet dog in yard

Florida wildlife officials to set trap for bear in DeLand

DeLAND, Fla. – Traps will be set for the bear that attacked and killed a DeLand man's dog in his backyard, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials.

The attack happened Saturday night around 11 p.m. on Oak Street near International Speedway and Kepler Road.

Greg Mapp believes the bear was about 350 pounds. He said his dog, Molly, and the bear went "toe to toe" as Molly defended her home.

Mapp said the bear ran into the woods behind his house, but his dog was hurt so badly she had to be put down.

His neighbor, Patricia Peacock, said she believes she spotted the same bear in her front yard on Wednesday.

Joy Hill, a spokesperson with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said a trap will placed in the area in the next day or two, but she added that the situation is not an emergency and the bear is not considered dangerous.

Hill said the bear was likely going after the dog's food that the owner left in the back yard. She said residents should take food inside.

"This was a defensive response by the bear," Hill said. "It was not a predatory attack. This type of thing will continue to happen as long as people provide food opportunities for bears who live in the woods around them."

If officials capture the bear, Hill said they will relocate it to the Ocala National Forest.

Hill said the trap is being moved from Paisley in Lake County where a bear bit another dog earlier in the week. Local 6 spoke with the owner of the the other dog, Brian Pollock, who said he kept his trashcans empty and doesn't have food on his porch. But a bear bit the neck of his dog, Spike, who is recovering.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.


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