Bear Kills Dog Near Zimmerman

May, 7 2011 - The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that a female bear with three cubs killed a dog while the bear was in the backyard of a residence feeding at a bird feeder east of Zimmerman in Livonia Township.

Sheriff Joel Brott stated that it is not uncommon for bears to be spotted in Sherburne County. With the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, the Sand Dunes State Forest, and quite a bit of rural area in Sherburne County, bears will frequently live in and pass through the county. It is, however, rare for there to be an incident such as what happened today.

Sheriff Brott stated that during this time of the year the bears have come out of their winter dens hungry and their natural food sources are not yet available to them. Common food sources, until natural foods are available, for the bear are bird feeders, garbage, dog food, and even barbeque grills. Sheriff Brott suggests that individuals who are concerned about bears should stop feeding birds and make sure their garbage, dog food, and barbeque grills are stored in a place that the bears do not have access to.

If anyone sees a bear and has a concern about that bear, please contact Assistant Wildlife Manger Nick Snazely at 320-255-4279 or Conservation Officer Mitch Sladek at 763-497-5880.

If a bear is an immediate threat to public safety, please call 911 and a deputy will respond to assist you with the situation.

The Department of Natural Resources also has a landowner publication on how to live with bears.