Westchester County Police received a call at approximately 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 29, where there was a report of a bear near a dumpster in the area of Victoria Drive and the Guard Hill condo complex in Mount Kisco.
A County Police spokesperson said that the bear was then spotted scaling a fence and making the rounds through a backyard before heading into a nearby wooded area.
There were no reports of any altercations with the bear and any nearby residents.
Westchester County Police responded to the scene and notified the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which also sent crews to the area to investigate.
According to environment officials, residents should not leave garbage cans or any food outside to help avoid an encounter with a bear. Bears should never be approached, surrounded, or cornered, as bears will “aggressively defend themselves if they feel threatened."
“Be especially cautious around cubs, as mother bears are very protected,” officials said. “Never run from a bear; stay calm, speak in a loud and calm voice, and slowly back away from a safe distance. Make loud noises by shouting or banging pots to scare the bear away."
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