APOPKA, Fla. — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is investigating after a black bear was found shot and killed in Apopka, according to Wesh 2 News in Orlando.
It happened in the Foxborough Farms neighborhood on June 6.
Bill Lueckfeld said he was taking his dogs out around 9 p.m. that Thursday when he found the bear lying on his grass.
Lueckfeld and his wife called law enforcement and said FWC came out to investigate and remove the nearly 500-pound bear.
He said he originally thought it might have been hit by a car because of the rain. He later learned from investigators that the bear had a bullet hole in its lung.
"These animals, in my opinion, are majestic. They're a powerful animal. They're docile in a sense, as long as you leave them alone, and this is their habitat," Lueckfeld said. "We don't want these animals harmed. We don't want to see them dead. We love seeing them as they roam around the neighborhoods."
His neighborhood is close to Wekiwa Springs State Park, so the area sees a lot of wildlife.
The incident comes just as a bill that would allow people to shoot a bear in self-defense awaits the governor's signature.
The bill's sponsor explained its intent just before it was sent to the governor.
"Give Floridians the right to protect their homes, their pets, and themselves and their families in case of a black bear attack," Rep. Jason Shoaf said.
The bill is something Lueckfeld said he doesn't agree with.
"You don't need to get rid of the bears. The bears are here and they're going to stay here until we keep pushing them out. And hopefully we don't," Lueckfeld said.
Officials recommend securing trash cans to keep bears away. People can also scare it away by yelling, using an air horn, or anything else that makes a lot of noise.
If someone seeks a sick or hurt bear, they can call FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
