'Aggressive' Bear in Branford Trapped and Euthanized: DEEP

BRANFORD, CT — Saying it's "not something we do often," the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection recently had to euthanize a bear that repeatedly attacked livestock and a dog in Branford, a top agency official told Patch.

DEEP spokesman Dennis Schain said the agency set a trap for a particularly aggressive bear near a Zuwalick Lane farm near the Branford/Guilford line.

Schain said the bear attempted to break-into a resident's porch nearby and tried to kill livestock living near where the trap was set. The bear also tried to attack a dog too, Schain said.

The bear then got into a barn on Zuwalick Lane and attacked goats as well, the DEEP spokesman said.

A trap was placed and the bear was caught on Nov. 3 and was euthanized the next day, Schain said.

Schain said it's rare for the DEEP to euthanize a bear once it's trapped. He said usually the bear is relocated but this particular 309 pound male bear had a recent history of strong aggression toward livestock that was properly fenced in.

"This is not something we do often," Schain said. "But it met the criteria for that action."

Patch file photo of a bear and not the actual bear euthanized in Branford