Arrest in bear shooting
Population growing, with bears entering homes at record level
State environmental police have charged a 26-year-old Litchfield County man with shooting and killing a black bear following a confrontation with his dog — at a time when the bear population has been steadily growing in Connecticut and spilling into residential neighborhoods. William O’Connor, 26, of Thomaston, faces charges after firing a .22-caliber long rifle in the direction of the mother bear, striking it near his property line, state environmental officials said. O’Connor was “reportedly fearing for his dog’s safety” after his dog had run toward the female black bear and her two cubs.
State environmental police charged a 26-year-old Litchfield County manthis week with shooting and killing a black bear following a confrontation with his dog — at a time when the bear population has been steadily growing in Connecticut and spilling into residential neighborhoods.
William O’Connor, 26, of Thomaston, was charged Tuesday after he fired a .22-caliber long rifle in the direction of the mother bear and struck it near his property line, state environmental officials said. O’Connor was “reportedly fearing for his dog’s safety” after his dog had run toward the female black bear and her two cubs.
As the bear was “making huffing noises toward the dog,” O’Connor went back inside his house to retrieve his gun before firing, officials said. He was charged on a misdemeanor count of illegal taking of a black bear by officers who work for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which has jurisdiction regarding the statewide estimated population of about 800 bears.
The charge comes as state officials are still debating over how to handle Connecticut’s growing bear population and advocates have fought over whether or not a bear hunt should be held in Litchfield County to reduce the herd.
Frustrated homeowners and legislators say hunting is necessary to slow the increasing population, but animal rights groups say hunting the bears is inhumane. Lawmakers have been split over the sometimes emotional issue.
State statistics show the problem has been growing as black bears have entered 42 Connecticut homes this year. That represents double the total of 21 in 2018 and up sharply from only seven in 2015.
The number of reported bear sightings statewide increased by 38% in 2018, and the total of bears struck and killed by vehicles that year — 63 — was the most in state history, officials said.
While some have said that the problem is largely concentrated in the northwest corner of the state, bear sightings have been reported in 153 of 169 cities and towns this year, according to state statistics. Because they have no natural predators, the current statewide population of 800 bears with eventually grow to 3,000 if no actions are taken, officials said.
Lawmakers have debated a