Bear Enters Home of a Branford Resident, 86, in the Middle of the Night: Report

BRANFORD, CT — It's 3 a.m. and Matthew Gailey, 86, and his wife can hear someone in their house.

No, it's not a burglar, well not in the classical sense, much to their surprise it's a 200 pound bear loudly making their way into their house.

In a WTNH News 8 story/video Gailey explains how the bear made its way into house a couple of weeks ago.

The bear began by eating up the Gailey's garden including watermelons and squash, knocking over their garbage and bird feeders, damaging a dog pen, and then made its way inside.

The bear made its way into a bathroom and then got stuck in the doorway and left, News 8 reports.

Earlier this week, Branford police said they've been "experiencing a significant increase in bear sightings in Branford over the past month, to the point it has almost become a daily event."

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protect has installed a trap in the area of Whiting Farms Road because of one specific problematic bear.

If you questions about bears you can call DEEP at 860-424-3333.

You can also call the Branford Police Department in cases of an emergency call 911 or routine phone calls at 203-481-4241.

Read/watch the full WTNH News 8 story here.

Photo of a bear that visited Branford earlier this year