Bears attack 2 dogs in Golden Gate Estates

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Bears are on the prowl in Golden Gate Estates.

Residents say two dogs have been attacked, and they’re worried a person might be the next victim.

“The attack on my dog was 8:30 at night. The attack on my neighbor’s dog was at 11:30 in the morning,” said Jennielle Potter.

Potter’s dog was attacked last Thursday and had to get stitches. She says it’s her neighbor’s dog that is lucky to be alive. The dog suffered ten bites and has patches of hair missing. The attack happened in February.

“The dog somehow got over into the woods there and they pinned the dog, one of the bears was on top and pinned the dog,” said Potter.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife biologist tells Potter these bears are very abnormal because they aren’t afraid of anything.

“Even the dogs, the barking, I have a fog horn, I have my van alarm,” explained Potters, “nothing is scaring them at all.”

The bears live in the woods right next to Potter’s home. It is located off of Golden Gate Boulevard near Wilson Boulevard. Recently, the bears started to move their territory closer to the house.

“They’re scratching up this tree, they’re marking up their territory right next to my van,” said Potter.

For the second time, FWC put out a bear trap, but it hasn’t worked. Neighbors want something to be done before someone falls victim next.