FWC believes they have killed the black bear that attacked an Eastpoint man

            Fish and Wildlife officials believe they have captured and killed the black bear that attacked a man in Eastpoint on October 23^rd.

An FWC Spokesperson said a female black bear was trapped and euthanized Tuesday night in Eastpoint.

Officials believe it to be the bear that attacked Charlie Griffin at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Eastpoint.

DNA samples from the bear and from the victim have been sent off for analysis.

It will take about a week to fully verify that the right bear was killed.

Charlie was injured when the 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.

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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