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Black Bear Attacks Shopper in New Jersey Dollar General
4 Oct
Summary
- Black bear spotted prowling through Dollar General store in Vernon, New Jersey
- Bear bit a shopper in the leg before being led out of the store
- Bear was eventually euthanized by authorities after the attack
In a shocking incident, a black bear was spotted prowling through a Dollar General store in Vernon, New Jersey on September 16th. The apex predator had a close encounter with a shopper, ultimately biting them in the leg before continuing to wander throughout the store.
Fortunately, a quick-thinking real estate agent named Sean Clarkin was also in the store at the time and managed to guide the bear out through the front entrance. Clarkin's actions were captured on video as he encouraged the bear to leave while maintaining a safe distance.
Once the bear exited the store, Vernon Township police officers arrived on the scene and followed the animal to a nearby property, where it was eventually euthanized. The injured shopper was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for their wound.
According to New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, the black bear was classified as a Category 1 threat, meaning it posed a significant danger to public safety and property. Once a black bear attacks a human, the agency's protocol is to euthanize the animal as soon as possible to protect the public.
Black bears are apex predators in their natural habitats, but their encounters with humans can lead to serious problems, including disease transmission, increased risk of injury, and a decline in biodiversity. Experts emphasize the importance of maintaining wildlife refuges and conservation efforts to mitigate these human-wildlife interactions.
