MIDDLETON, MASS. (WHD) – A resident of the Middleton home where a bear attacked their goat and chicken shot the bear dead, according to the Massachusetts Environmental Police.
The police believe this is the bear that was discovered several times In recent months in local communities including Boxford, Danvers, Lowell, Middleton, North Reading, Wilmington and Woburn.
Police said on September 29, at around 7:30 p.m., a black bear attacked and killed two goats at the home. The next morning, at around 8:30 a.m., villagers discovered the same bear attacking their chickens in the chicken coop, killing eight. One of the residents of the house shot and killed the bear.
After the MEP said the person shot the bear, they notified Middleton Police and the MEP. The bear was an 80-pound male.
Although the MEPs are investigating the incident, they note that Massachusetts law allows residents to kill a bear caught for property damage under certain circumstances. To date, no fees have been paid.
MEPs also note that black bear sightings are becoming increasingly common in eastern Massachusetts. Usually, the agency does not intervene directly when bears venture into homeowners’ properties. The bears often move in search of available food.
MEPs recommend installing electrical fences to prevent these types of attacks from happening.
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