Black Bear Spotted in Katonah Backyards

A black bear was spotted prowling the Whitlockville Road area of Katonah this morning between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., according to Bedford Police Sergeant Matthew Hawley.

"Several residents called after 7, and we got the last call sometime after 9 a.m.," he said. "No one interacted with the bear."

Hawley said he'd heard of no other recent sightings, and that they rarely hear of them more than once or twice a year.

Last week, a resident of 

Hawley said the police department reports bear sightings to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for tracking purposes.

If residents see a bear, they should stay indoors, and keep small children and pets indoord, he said.  Here are more tips from the U.S. Department of Forestry regarding black bear safety:

• Never store food or garbage outdoors;
• Do not leave pet food outside, especially overnight;
• Do not feed birds from April to November, unless the feeders are out of bears’ reach and have spill pans to prevent seeds from reaching the ground;
• Keep outdoor grills clean; when not in use, store grills inside a garage or building;
• Bear-proof bee hives, compost piles and gardens with electric or chain-link fence;
• Pick fruit from trees as it ripens; do not leave fruit on the ground;
• Do not leave food as bait for any animals or dispose of food scraps outdoors;
• If a bear approaches, move your family indoors immediately.

For more facts and information on avoiding black bears click here.

Have you ever seen a bear in your backyard?