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.

[joesnuffy]

What a brave kid...
Wow!
Dad has gotta be proud of a kid like that...

As for the Fish and Game people?....

"Soon they are going to start handing out flyers warning neighbors of the danger."
They said....soon ...soon

[Moonman62]

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.

I don't know if this incident is a good example or not, but I have no doubt that the eco-terrorists want to use large predators like bears and mountain lions as their "suicide bombers."

[AAABEST]

12 Gauge works fine for black bears.

I suppose the Barrett would work better but you're probably not going to find too many humping that thing around.

[Carry_Okie]

I have no doubt that the eco-terrorists want to use large predators like bears and mountain lions as their "suicide bombers."

Yup. They don't care what happens in nature as long as people aren't there.

[mt tom]

you must be referring to the green gestopo u.s.f.s.

[rogator]

12 gauge is fine. Use rifled slugs, not shot. Shot would just p--- them off.

[Carry_Okie]

Oh the green land control game is a lot more than just agency ideology. It's everything from mining, to food production, energy, banking...

It's a global vertically integrated racketeering system.

[GladesGuru]

The FR community probably already knows this, but when a bear is that close, make sure the safety is off, and observe the bear through the sights.

If a person with a knife , who shows life threatening potential, can be shot, surely a bear is at least as much of a threat.

And the Liberal whimper about not ever confronting the bear only reinforces the bear's delusion that it is the dominant organism. When bear are as bold around people as this one was, it is clear evidence that a hunting season is needed.

Hunting seasons are a proven bruin behavior modification mechanism. Besides, the pelts make a nice rug.

Let's not forget that bear roast is quite good

[GladesGuru]

The last "Marin County Bear Expert" who insisted on an 'up close and personal' relationship with bears was eaten by the bear. So was the female critter he took along on his search.

This proves that bears like grainola. You know, nuts, fruits, and flakes.

[GladesGuru]

Sorry, Sam - but that area is thick vegetation where one can just about step on a bear before seeing it. Add in a cub, and the risk potential is obvious.

And for what it is worth, down the street fron Tony's place a man's wife watched while a puma killed one of their four pet goats which was about 25 feet from her.

Their last goat was renamed "Dead Goat Walking." While funny, it is a sad commentary on America's values when a cat or a bear is so protected by money and power grabbers that a citizen can't protect himself or his property.

They no longer allow the grandchildren to visit because the grand kiddies like to fish in the canal which is 75 feet from the house.

As they say on Radio Socialism (NPR) "Let's do the numbers." If the cat kills within 25 feet and the canal is 75 feet, decision is clear.

Time to add the "Florida" puma to the hunting seasons as well as the bears. The population of both is already too large for the habitats. Population reduction is necessary.

[Servant of the 9]

Sorry, I never go outside unarmed, so my perspective is a bit skewed. If I had varmits in my yard, I would keep watch until I had killed them and I don't care if they are endangered.

So9

[GladesGuru]

Double O or even better, triple O buckshot is very effective at the close ranges being discussed. A friend who retired after a long career as an African White Hunter preferred a double barrel 12 gauge (twin triggers, too) when having to follow a wounded leopard down a buffalo tunnel in the thorn bush.

Clients who can't properly anchor an animal on the first shot are a good example of the risks of bad gun control, according to him

[GladesGuru]

In my opinion, your opinion is exactly correct. As Jefferson put it, it is the right and duty of all men to be at all times armed, for in such manner is tyranny kept in check.

I went to a formative meeting for the Sawgrass Rebellion at Tony's house and had to walk 150 feet in the dark after having talked to Steve (owner of Dead Goat Walking) who said that the panther were in the area because the deer were absent. They suddenly disappeared two nights ago. And the goat was very nervious, too.

And the biologists verified that from panther radio collar data.

Take it from me, it was not a pleasent walk, as I am familiar with the fact that there are some ten attacks and at least one fatal attack by panther EVERY YEAR! The fact that the cats had not eaten last night didn't help, either.

Not to much of a statistical risk until you remember that most of America doesn't live near the damn things. The actual risks are far higher because only a small part of the population carries all the risk.

Carry on, carry on(pun intended). And may we have a national reciprocity law for CCW permits in the near future.

[paulklenk]

Teens, pets, bears, and a happy ending. Can't ask for more.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Thank God the kids are OK!

[TonyWojo]

The Sheltie looks like a little Lion, all of the hair is shaved except for the head end of the tail and the paws.

[Labyrinthos]

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.

Reminds me of the old joke about the two guys walking in the wood, and one says to the other, "What do we do if we run into a bear? Make noise? Play dead?" The other guy says, "I don't know what you should do, but I know that I'm going to run away as fast as I can." The first guy responds, "You can't out run a bear." The second guy replies, "I have don't have to out run the bear, I just have to out run you."

[paulklenk]

Teens, pets, bears, and a happy ending. Can't ask for more.

Oops, there could have been ice cream. Spoke too soon.

[paulklenk]

That doesn't remind me of another joke:

An old couple, aged 95 and 97, are in front of a judge asking for a divorce.

"How long have you been married?" he asks.

"75 years," says the couple.

"Why did you wait so long to get divorced?" queries the judge.

"We wanted to wait until the children were dead."

[Labyrinthos]

I don't get the segway from my joke to yours, but it was funny anyway.