Sep 24, 2009 6:34 pm US/Eastern
Black Bear Spotted In Methuen Backyard
METHUEN (WBZ) ―
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The bear was spotted in Dick Tracy's backyard.
WBZ
It's something you don't see everyday; in fact, in 50 years, Dick Tracy has never seen a bear.
He says he was taking some squash to his pig, named Rubber Boot, in the backyard of his residential neighborhood when it happened. "And I stood about here and I went throw the squash over there and the bear was laying down right there," said Tracy, pointing to some flattened grass about 8 feet from him.
Tracy says the black bear, estimated to weigh more than 200 pounds, got up and put his paws on the fence of the pig pen. "Ah he scared the daylights out of me. But I walked back, nice and slow quite a ways...backwards...I'm looking over my shoulder to see if he's coming."
Tracy called police who came, along with MassWildlife officials, and the bear went back into an adjacent wooded area.
Police put up an electronic sign in the area to warn people about the bear sighting and tell them not to approach. "They are somewhat predictable, not at all times. That's why we're saying, keep your distance," said Methuen Police Chief Katherine Lavigne.
MassWildlife officials say black bears are rarely found in eastern Massachusetts which is the third most densely populated state. Methuen Police say the last bear sighting in their city was about 10 years ago.
Dick Tracy says this one stayed around a couple hours. "He wasn't after the pig. I mean, he wanted to play with the pig because he kept going close to the fence with his nose and the pig would go close with his nose. Really something to see."
Although MassWildlife officials say black bears are wary of people, they also say "never try to approach or pursue a bear," call 911.
They also urge people not to give bears free meals, to take down bird feeders between April and December and secure trash.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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