Bear Sightings Increase In Naugatuck

NAUGATUCK, CT — Police are advising residents that bear sightings are on the rise in Naugatuck. Police have received increased calls for bears and offer the following advice:

“Do not feed the bear, do not taunt the bear, secure your bird feeders and garbage cans and take your pets inside,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “Naugatuck is heavily wooded in some areas, bears are in their natural habitat and we as the police cannot remove them. Please contact DEEP for any bear related concerns.”

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection advises anyone who encounters a bear to remain calm and observe the bear from a distance.

"Do not approach or try to get closer to a bear," according to the state DEEP website. "If the bear is unaware of your presence, back away or make noise which will often cause the bear to flee. If the bear is aware of you and does not flee, talk to the bear in a calm voice and back away slowly. Never run or climb a tree. If the bear approaches, be offensive. Make more noise, wave your arms, and throw objects at the bear. Black bears rarely attack humans. However, if you are attacked, do not play dead. Fight back with anything available."

DEEP officials offer the following steps on what to do to avoid conflicts and problems if you find a bear near your home.

Bears are attracted to garbage, pet food, compost piles, fruit trees, and birdfeeders.

DO remove birdfeeders and bird food from late March through November.

DO eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed. Add ammonia to trash to make it unpalatable.

DO clean and store grills in a garage or shed after use. (Propane cylinders should be stored outside.)

DON'T intentionally feed bears. Bears that become accustomed to finding food near your home may become "problem" bears.

DON'T approach or try to get closer to a bear to get a photo or video.

DON'T leave pet food outside overnight.

DON'T add meat or sweets to a compost pile.

Read more at the state DEEP website here.