Neighbors concerned after bear attacks dog in Collier County

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

A dog is still recovering after being attacked by a bear in Collier County.

It happened this week along Rose Apple Lane. The dog got minor injuries before the bear was hazed away from the property.

"We all have gates on our doors here, and it opens it up by itself. It's heartbreaking," said neighbor Amanda Butler.

Neighbors say this attack is raising concerns about bear activity in the area. Zoraida Davila has grown used to catching glimpses of bears roaming around.

"My daughter came home one day. I think it was a week or two ago, as she ran in the house when she got dropped off because she saw the bear, and she was scared," said Davila.

Neighbors like Davila keep waking up to trash lying around their front yards because bears are knocking over trash bins. Now, with a few clever locks and a quick retrofit on her trash bin, Davila has closed the bears' buffet.

"Because when it becomes an issue that the bear is consistently coming around and not scared of us," said Davila.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contractor has set up a bear trap to keep the community safe.

The FWC says dogs can trigger defensive behaviors in bears.

If you live in an area with bears, the FWC says one thing you can do before letting your dog out is bang on your door and flip your lights on and off to give the bear time to leave the area first.

If you do not have a fenced yard, the FWC recommends walking your dog on a short nonretractable leash when taking them outside.

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