Longwood Bears

Longwood, Florida

Longwood, Florida is an upscale bedroom community just north of us.  It has a long and interesting history but it is most noted for it's neighborhood bears.  They're everywhere.  Most folks know to lock up the garbage and the outside freezer but, occasionally they cause trouble.

A few months ago there was a tragedy when a bear attacked a woman walking her little dog.  But that sort of thing is highly unusual.

There are two schools of thought about the bears.  Some folks want to trap and either relocate or kill them.  But most people want to let the bears co-habitat with the humans.  For the most part, that has worked pretty well.

Then last month a man reported to wildlife officials that he was slammed to the ground (by his pants) by a Florida black bear.  He was pretty roughed up.  There were photos on Facebook and he described to reporters an epic battle with the bear.

Having a snack on the patio

However, his official account was released yesterday.  Here is part of it:

I was sitting in my chair outside...drinking a beer and I saw a bear run by the house and for no good reason at all, I jumped up and started chasing it...and tripped over a speed bump and fell. 

He's not going to charged but I think the bear should sue this guy for slander.


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