Franklin County begins keeping track of black bear attacks

Franklin County Commissioners are asking that the animal control department begin keeping records on all suspected bear attacks in the county. The commission raised the issue after reports of a black bear killing a goat in Carrabelle earlier this month.

Commissioner Cheryl Sanders said she is concerned that there is now an aggressive black bear in the county and she wondered what the bear will go after next. County commissioners agreed that at some point the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will have to address the issue of black bears moving in to neighborhoods and they would prefer it happens sooner rather than later.

The board has asked the animal control director Van Johnson begin keeping detailed records of suspected bear attacks in the county – they are also asking that residents report any aggressive bear activity. The county hopes that the information can strengthen their arguments to the state that the black bear population needs to be controlled.

The board said it will also try to bring its concerns to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which meets next week in Tallahassee.

This isn’t the first time Franklin County has called for stronger action to control the black bear population – in the past the board has sought a limited hunting season to keep the black bear population in check.


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