Dog killed, man attacked by bear in Orange City

ORANGE CITY -- A bear attacked a man and killed a dog Monday night in Orange City.

The incident happened around 9:45 p.m. Alan Bryant said he has often seen bears near his home along Hollowridge Drive, which is in the Country Village Mobile Home Park in Volusia County.

"It was just the usual routine," Bryant said Monday night. "(I was) letting him out between the houses -- as you can see it's all lit up here -- just to let him pee. Of course, he heard something, which it's natural for a dog to go investigate, barking and running after him and he wouldn't stop. Well, evidently, the bear was right there in my backyard."

Bryant said he heard his dog, a Yorkie, let out a horrendous yelp. As he ran toward the dog and his motion lights switched on, he said he saw the bear barreling toward him.

Bryant said he ran away, but he claims the bear swiped at his pants and knocked him down. Bryant said he thinks his wife's screaming from the porch spooked the bear enough to make it run away.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials were called out to the home Monday night to investigate the incident.

Greg Workman, a spokesman with Florida Fish and Wildlife, said a trap has been set up near the home.

"We're hoping that those efforts are positive efforts, and we can go ahead and eliminate that threat or situation from this neighborhood," Workman said Tuesday morning. "It's important for neighbors to be vigilant of your area, secure all the attractants, make sure your garbage is secure. And hopefully, if a bear is coming through, they're not going to stop. They're going to keep on going."

The attack follows months of controversy around the black bear hunt and protests by animal rights activists.

Last week, a judge in Tallahassee ruled the statewide bear hunt will proceed. The seven-day hunt runs from Oct. 24 to Oct. 30.

This story was originally published October 6, 2015 at 8:29 AM with the headline "Dog killed, man attacked by bear in Orange City ."