Eastpoint man attacked by black bear

An Eastpoint man was attacked by a black bear Friday night – making it the 2^nd bear attack in the town in less than a year.

Charlie Griffin, who lives and works at the Sportsman’s Lodge, was injured when a black bear jumped out of the hotel’s dumpster and ran him down.

He received injuries to the arm that required stitches but he was treated and released from Weems Memorial Hospital the same night.

He said the bear was about 6 feet long.

FWC officials are looking for the bear, nearly a half dozen FWC trucks were parked around the Sportsman’s Lodge Friday night after the attack.

The FWC did tell hotel owners to get a locking dumpster so this doesn't happen again.

This is the second black bear attack in Eastpoint in less than a year – last December, 15 year old Leah Reeder was bitten and scratched by a black bear while walking her dog behind the Big Top Supermarket.

This is an active time of year for black bears so there are likely multiple adult bears around Eastpoint looking for food in garbage cans and dog bowls.

In general, black bears have a natural fear of people but as their population grows and more of them venture into towns they lose that fear, especially if people actively feed them.

It is illegal to feed bears in Florida and is likely a death sentence for the bear.

To keep bears away from your home, make sure to store all food and garbage in secure areas or get a bear proof garbage can from your garbage company.

And if you are aware of bears that may pose a danger to people or of people feeding bears, you can call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) to report it.

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