Bear Killed After Biting Woman In NJ Dollar Store

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — A black bear has been euthanized after attacking a dog and biting a woman inside a Sussex County dollar store, according to officials.

On Tuesday, around 3:30 p.m., Vernon police received a call from the owner of Mountain Dispensary, on Route 94, that a 175-pound black bear had attacked his dog and chased two of his employees.

Moments later, an employee from the business next door, Dollar General, called Vernon police, saying that the bear had wandered into the dollar store.

Officials said that the bear had bitten a 90-year-old woman on the leg while inside the Dollar General.

Video circulating on social media shows shoppers trying to escort the bear outside of the dollar store (Editor’s Note: Video contains explicit language):

Officials said that the same bear was seen “behaving erratically and moving in and out of traffic,” along Route 94 two hours before the incident. At that point, local police shot the bear with rubber bullets, sending it back into the woods, according to authorities.

As a result of the Dollar General incident, Vernon police euthanized the bear after it had left the store, officials said.

The 90-year-old woman was taken to a nearby hospital for "minor injuries." The dog was taken to a local veterinarian.

The bear’s body was collected by NJ Fish and Wildlife for rabies testing, which takes three to five days, according to authorities.

The incident has sparked conversation online about the township's dumpster policies. According to NJ Fish and Wildlife, one of the best ways to prevent attracting bears is to properly dispose of garbage.

"It’s time for the Vernon Town Council to step up and start ticketing the restaurants and businesses that leave their dumpsters open and unlocked," wrote one resident, who recorded the video above. "It’s not fair to the bears — or the people who live here."

See tips on safe garbage disposal to limit bear attraction, provided by NJ Fish and Wildlife:

• Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers

Use certified bear-resistant garbage containers and keep the container outdoors if you live in an area frequented by black bears. Certified bear-resistant trash containers have passed a formal testing procedure and are proven to keep bears out. Certified containers offer the best protection.

Use certified bear-resistant community dumpsters in housing developments and gated communities.

• Secure garbage cans

If not using certified containers, store all garbage in containers with tight-fitting lids and place them within a secure location where bears are unlikely to see or smell them. For example, leave garbage containers in your basement until morning of garbage collection. Note: Occasionally, bears have tried to enter buildings in search of food, so use caution.

• Use a Bear Resistant Dumpster Enclosure

Garbage containers or dumpsters may be stored within Bear Resistant Dumpster Enclosures (BRDEs). These are fully enclosed structures consisting of four sides (i.e., solid panels or cyclone fencing,) eight feet high, and with a top of sufficient design (i.e., barbed wire or roof) constructed to prevent access by black bears. BRDEs should meet the standards specified by the Living with Wildlife Foundation. Various BRDE Designs can be found at the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oc3yIDcEbwcuq_Bccpv_-PaUUu_8LhXB/view

• Put out garbage the morning of collection day

Put out garbage as close to pick-up time as possible, not the night before.

• Wash trash containers

Wash trash containers with a disinfectant solution at least once a week to eliminate odors. Examples of disinfectant solutions include hot water and chlorine bleach or ammonia.

• Secure & clean recycling containers

Store recycling containers in a secure building and only put them outdoors on the day of pickup. Empty recyclables, like beverage cans, bottles, and food containers, can attract bears.