Collier Teens Save Pet From Bear Attack (FReeper's dog and kid involved).

WINK TV via SOUNDOFF ^ | 10-13-03 | Tim Wetzel

[AAABEST]

Golden Gate Estates -

Two Collier County teens had a frightening encounter when they were walking their dog. The sheltie -- named Sparkle -- got into a fight with black bear. The bear was guarding its cub and Sparkle wanted to guard his owners.

If the dog wouldn't have been there we would have probably walked right into the bear," said Matt Wojciechowski, 18. Matt and his brother were in the backyard when Sparkle began to bark, they then say the bear just feet away. "It was probably 8 feet tall, I've never seen one that big."

Sparkle and the bear soon when at it, but Sparkle wasn't much of a match. That's when Matt stepped in. "I went under and just grabbed my dog and threw him." Matt wasn't hurt -- he says he didn't even think of the danger. "I'm not going to let a bear kill my dog. All I was thinking about was getting my dog away and that's it," said Wojciechowski. The dog had more than 50 stitches and five bite wounds.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says this isn't the first they've heard of bears in the area; this year they've had about 300 complaints about bears in this neighborhood. Soon they are going to start handing out flyers warning neighbors of the danger.

Matt's grandmother is just happy the teens are safe. "Those boys getting that dog away from the bear could've turned into such a tragedy," said Chris Scarinzi. "I mean we feel bad for the dog but thank god the boys are ok that's the most important thing."

Fish and Wildlife officials say it's important to keep garbage and animal food away so bears aren't tempted to come close to homes and pets. The best thing to do if you see a bear, is to slowly back away.

[AAABEST]

This is friend, neighbor and fellow FReeper TonyWojo's kid Mat and his dog. I just read this on the local forum.

[AAABEST]

ping!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Proves FReeper kids are smarter and braver than a self-appointed "bear expert" from Marin county.

[Support Free Republic]

Aww man! Enough of the fundraiser posts!!!

Only YOU can make fundraiser posts go away. Please contribute!

[Pest]

Braver? Yes. Smarter? I'm not so sure.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Heck that was close. Glad the kids were't hurt.

[Paradox]

That's when Matt stepped in. "I went under and just grabbed my dog and threw him."

That kids got big cayoons! Holy cr*p, thats probably not the smartest thing to do, but I completely understand. Thank goodness he didn't get hurt, or even worse..

[Servant of the 9]

If the dog wouldn't have been there we would have probably walked right into the bear,"

Paging Dr. Darwin!
Lack of Situational Awareness Alert
Honorary Mention Category

So9

[Carry_Okie]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says this isn't the first they've heard of bears in the area; this year they've had about 300 complaints about bears in this neighborhood.

Hmmm, looks like a significant problem. How did the neighborhood get built when "the bears were there first"? You don't think that there weren't any bears when they built those houses, do you Mr. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Bureaucrat sir? So, if they had built those houses with the reasonable expectation of a use predicated upon "no bears," and suddenly the State agents for the rest of the people have decided that their property should now be bear habitat, who should should be paying for that use of their property and compensating the owners for uses that have been taken?

Soon they are going to start handing out flyers warning neighbors of the danger.

So after receiving 300 notices of bears in the neighborhood, the State will provide the residents notification that there are bears in the neighborhood, when they get around to it. This is a tacit announcement of an intent to take the use of the property.

[mo4bush]

Wow, brave little freeper there!

[Carry_Okie]

This problem isn't limited to Florida.

[AAABEST]

Had a bear in my back yard also and have come across them from time to time. I don't listen to any "bear" advice that you hear from bear idiots. Noise, playing dead whatever.

I just get out of the area ASAP. You can't tell what a bear is going to do or what state of mind it's in. Best thing to do is stay away from it.

Tony we got to get you a 12 gauge. Good thing the kids and dog were looking out for each other.

[TonyWojo]

The houses in the neighborhood are far a few between.

The Saw Grass Rebellion was held about a 1/4 mile from my home.

Heading East of my property there is about 65 miles of Big Cypress Preserve, Fakahatchee Strand, Everglades National Park till you get to Fort Lauderdale area.

In the last 12 years I have seen multitudes of bear, with and without cubs. I have 5 acres and no neighbors. I am sure eventually it will be blamed on over building.

[Vigilantcitizen]

That's a very brave young man you've raised .

FWIW...We're fabricating the displays for the Collier co. museum in my shop at the moment.

[AAABEST]

The dog is the sweetest dog too. One of those mini-sheltie type collies.

[Joe Brower]

Wow. Matt's got some steel in 'im, 'e does.

So when you boys want to do some bear huntin'? $;-)

[Hugin]

That's one brave, foolish and lucky kid.

[Carry_Okie]

Did you see that map John?

[Choose Ye This Day]

I usually don't like little yip yip dogs, but I love those miniature shelties. No match for a bear, though.

[AAABEST]

Which map?