Authorities Hunt Black Bear After Fatal Attack on Man and Dog in Rural South Florida
Florida wildlife officials and local law enforcement launched an extensive search on Monday for a black bear believed to be responsible for a deadly attack that claimed.
In a statement released on Monday, the FWC said wildlife officers were actively searching for the animal, which is still believed to be in the vicinity. The agency did not provide a specific timeline for when the attack occurred, nor did it release the identity of the victim pending notification of family members.
The FWC also urged people living in or traveling through the area to remain cautious and to avoid wooded or remote locations where the bear might still be roaming. Signs and advisories have been posted in nearby neighborhoods and roadways to alert residents to the potential danger.
While fatal bear attacks are extremely rare in Florida, encounters between humans and bears have become more frequent over the past decade. As human development continues to expand into areas that were once wild and uninhabited, bears have increasingly found themselves wandering into backyards, garbage sites, and rural neighborhoods in search of food.
However, that recovery has also brought challenges, particularly in areas where human communities now border bear habitats.

In North and Central Florida, where black bear sightings are more common, wildlife officials have received a growing number of reports in recent years of bears rummaging through trash cans, damaging property, and even approaching homes. Though the majority of these interactions are non-lethal, officials caution that bears are wild animals and can become aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered.
Authorities have not disclosed whether the man and his dog surprised the bear or whether the animal may have acted defensively. It is also unknown if the bear was acting unusually due to illness, injury, or habituation to human presence.
FWC spokespersons have stated that once the bear is located, officials will assess its behavior and determine the appropriate course of action. In situations where a bear has demonstrated aggression toward humans, especially when a fatality is involved, wildlife managers typically opt to euthanize the animal to prevent further risk to the public.
Local residents expressed shock and concern over the incident, with many saying that while bears are occasionally seen in the area, they rarely pose a direct threat.
“I’ve lived out here for 15 years and we’ve seen a few bears from time to time, mostly around trash bins,” said one resident who lives a few miles from the scene of the attack. “But something like this? It’s terrifying.
Improperly stored garbage, pet food left outdoors, and bird feeders can lure hungry bears into residential areas. Officials routinely encourage residents in bear-prone regions to “BearWise” their properties by securing food sources and eliminating attractants.
Most bear encounters can be avoided if people take the right precautions, said a wildlife biologist with the FWC.
The FWC’s bear management team has deployed specialized personnel trained in tracking and capturing wild animals. They are using a combination of scent trails, motion-detecting cameras, and traps in hopes of locating the bear involved in the deadly encounter.
It lies adjacent to the Everglades and is a key ecological zone, protected by both state and federal agencies.
While the preserve itself remains open to the public, wildlife officials are cautioning against venturing into certain trails or remote sections until the bear is found or determined to have moved out of the area. Visitors to the region are being advised to travel in groups, make noise while hiking, and carry bear spray as a precautionary measure.
The FWC says it will continue to provide updates as the investigation and search efforts progress.
In response to this incident, local community leaders are also planning to host a public safety meeting to provide information about living near wildlife and preventing conflicts with bears. Officials say that education and awareness are key to avoiding future tragedies.
This is a heartbreaking reminder that we share this landscape with powerful wildlife, the FWC said in its statement. “Our top priority is the safety of the people who live and recreate here, as well as the responsible management of our state’s bear population.”
As the search continues, the rural community east of Naples remains on edge, hoping for a swift resolution and answers to how such a deadly encounter unfolded.