Pumpkin the bear to be euthanized, in the event that they catch it

Police are looking for a bear that has reportedly killed livestock in Hanson and stated they should euthanize the animal when it’s discovered, in accordance with a Fb submit from Hanson police.

Named Pumpkin as a result of it additionally likes to eat pumpkins, police stated the bear has been recognized to go after livestock and this week killed two goats and tried to kill a 3rd one, all positioned in the identical residential barn.

Hanson Police Chief Michael Miksch stated the division consulted with bear specialists at MassWildlife earlier than coming to the conclusion to euthanize the black bear. 

“As soon as they’ve gotten livestock and so they understand it’s a spot for meals, they’re gonna maintain coming again till there’s no extra meals there,” Miksch stated. 

He additionally famous that the bear in query bought previous an electrical fence and entered the barn by secured doorways, that means the bear might doubtlessly enter different buildings. 

On Wednesday evening police tried for greater than two hours to place Pumpkin down however have been unsuccessful as a result of the bear was present in a residential space. Placing the bear down in an space with residents would put them at risk, police added.

Miksch stated they don’t seem to be actively looking the bear in the intervening time, however stated folks ought to name police instantly if the bear is “exhibiting no concern of people or is making an attempt to enter an space with livestock.” He stated euthanization is the one possibility, and it could be irresponsible to tranquilize it and transfer the bear to a different space simply to trigger issues some place else.

Although Pumpkin is the one bear at present liable to being put down, it isn’t the one bear within the surrounding space. Miksch stated there’s another bear that they know of in Hanson — each Pumpkin and the opposite bear are black bears, although the latter is smaller than the almost 300-pound Pumpkin. 

Experiences of black bear sightings began trickling into Hanson’s police division, in addition to different space legislation enforcement places of work, as early as August. Miksch stated it’s attainable that Pumpkin could also be touring to different close by cities, and police consider it traverses down Route 14 to Pembroke. 

In line with MassWildlife, the variety of black bears has elevated within the state for the reason that Seventies, primarily established within the western a part of the commonwealth. However these bears are increasing farther east, with about 4,500 black bears statewide. 

Police stated black bears are hardly ever dangerous towards people, and even Pumpkin hasn’t proven aggression towards people. However due to the uptick in bear sightings, Miksch urged residents in Hanson and the encircling communities to safe and do away with meals sources as a lot as attainable in order that they’ll safely dwell among the many bears. 

“It’s an unlucky and regrettable state of affairs that it’s come to this,” Miksch stated. “However sooner or later, this space and state has to be taught to dwell with the bears. We as folks have to do higher. I’m hoping that individuals will begin to be taught and I don’t have to do that once more.”

Miksch recommends that residents go to MassWildlife’s web site, which incorporates useful suggestions and movies on the best way to dwell round black bears safely. These suggestions embrace eradicating hen feeders, securing trash, and feeding pets indoors.