DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — A Dauphin County woman’s growling dog led her to a black bear in her backyard.
There are more than 19,000 black bears in Pennsylvania, according to the Game Commission, and July makes for one of the busiest months for sightings as males search for mates.
So what should someone do when they spot a bear in their backyard?
According to Bear Wise, an education and outreach program funded by state wildlife agencies, one should:
- Make loud noises, shout or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear from a safe distance
- Remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed or pet food once the bear has left
- Ask neighbors to remove attractants
- Always check the yard for bears before letting dogs out
While black bears rarely become aggressive, they will defend themselves when they feel surprised or threatened…