BETHLEHEM, Conn. (WFSB) – A Bethlehem man says he survived a 40-minute standoff with a bear that attacked one of his pet goats last week.
Joe Reda said the incident happened Thursday afternoon when his family heard screaming coming from a structure where they keep two goats.
Reda opened the door and saw a bear with one of the goat’s neck in its mouth, he said. He rushed in with a shovel and used it as a spear, but said the bear did not run off.
The standoff lasted 40 minutes. Reda said he eventually fought off the bear with help from his bulldog. His wife shot a rifle into the sky twice to get the bear to run off.
Reda came away with a scratch on his chest. He said he is concerned for the safety of pets and livestock in the area, as residents claim there have been several bear attacks in Bethlehem this year.
“Everybody thinks bears eat berries and garbage. They’re eating donkeys, llamas, goats, sheep, it’s a bigger problem, and the biggest thing is living here now, when you have your grandson playing outside, you can’t leave him unattended,” Reda said.
State police said they and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded after the encounter.
The goat, Cole, is alive after being rushed to the vet.
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