Haverhill police issued the warning in a Facebook post on Monday, June 3.
Black bears are usually afraid of people, and will likely run away if confronted. However, there is still a risk, and residents should take steps to prevent a close encounter with the animal, Haverhill police said.
Those included:
- Remove bird feeders from their yards
- Secure all trash, pet food, or livestock food if left outside
- Do not feed pets outdoors
- Keep pets indoors if possible, and keep them on leashes anytime they are outside
They also gave instructions on what to do if they see the bear, including:
- Do not approach it
- Do not try to feed it
- Do not stop to take photos
- Do not try to run from it (Black bears can run up to 35 miles per hour)
- Make sure children know not to run away
- Make as much noise as possible, make yourself look bigger, and back away from the area
Police ask anyone who sees the bear to contact Massachusetts Environmental Police Dispatch at 800-632-8075 or MassWildlife Northeast District at 978-772-2145. Call 911 If there is an emergency concerning the animal.
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