LOCAL

Bear sightings in Dighton? Police share safety tips

The Taunton Daily Gazette

DIGHTON — The Dighton Police Department has received numerous reports of bear sightings throughout the Dighton community in recent days.

During these sightings, the bear eventually wandered off and did not harm anyone or have any interaction with people, Dighton Police said in a press release. 

All residents should avoid interacting with bears and other wild animals.

If a resident sees a bear, they should immediately contact Animal Control Officer Stacy Ferry via the Dighton Police Department at 774-218-5340 or animalcontrol@dighton-ma.gov.

A black bear being called Boo Boo is making his way through southeastern Massachusetts. Last week, a Halifax resident spotted him in his yard.

"While we've had no instances of bears interacting with or harming residents in Dighton yet, out of an abundance of caution we would like to share the following safety tips with residents," Chief Robert MacDonald said in the release. "Bear sightings do not indicate a threat to public safety as they share the lands with us, but we should all be aware of best practices to take at our homes and businesses in order to safely coexist with wildlife."

Wildlife safety tips

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offers several tips for residents regarding black bears in the community:

  • Don't set out bird feeders. In general, most bears are denned from mid-December through February. In mild winters, some bears may be active year-round. Bring in any feeders at the first sign of bear activity.
  • Secure trash. Put trash barrels out the morning of trash pickup, not the previous evening. Store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. Trash should always be placed inside the dumpster, and never left accessible to bears.
  • Remove other attractants. Always feed pets indoors. Clean greasy barbecues and grills after each use. Do not leave food scraps, grease containers, or spilled grease in your yard.
  • Protect crops and orchards. Temporary electric fencing may be used to protect corn and other crops. Sevenstrand slanted non-electric fences have been used to keep bears out of orchards.
  • If contact is made: A bear’s first response to something unusual is to leave. If a bear is feeding in an area where it doesn’t belong, such as your yard, on a porch, or in a dumpster, step outside, yell, and make lots of noise. The bear will usually leave, accompanied by its young. Bears who are more used to humans may ignore minor harassment. If you continue to see bears, check your property and remove any potential food sources.

For more information, visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/living-with-black-bears-fact-sheet/download.