From Polk County Sheriff Office
On Tuesday, August 22nd at around 10:22pm, PCSO deputies were dispatched to a home in the Loughman area, north of Davenport in reference to a bear.
According to our patrol Sergeant, a resident within the Tanglewood Preserve subdivision (just off of Osceola-Polk Line Road) reported that a bear had broken through her vinyl fence and attempted to get the woman’s pet pig.
The bear’s attempted pignapping was thwarted by the resident, and by the time deputies arrived, the bear was gone.
While the resident repaired the fence, deputies stood by to protect the resident in case the bear decided to make a second attempt to poach the pig.
After the fence was repaired, deputies made contact with several other residents to alert them to the bear’s activity.
This serves as a good reminder to all. Due to increased land development encroaching upon the habitat of wild animals, their habitat is being altered, including their food supply (black bears have been known to prey upon feral pigs in the wild).
Please make sure your garbage is secured in an area where wild animals cannot get to them, and be cautious with your pets (dogs, cats, and yes, even pigs) in your yard.
