Police Issue Advisory About Bear Sighting In New Castle

NEW CASTLE, NY — Police are warning neighbors about a bear sighting in the area and reminding the community that bears belong here too.

In a public advisory, New Castle Police said a black bear was spotted on Wednesday near Saddle Ridge Road and close to Somerstown Road in the Town Of New Castle. The alert comes just a day after Village of Mount Kisco officials reported a black bear sighting.

"The NYS Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) advises that bears will only be encouraged to leave the area unless the bear creates a public disturbance, acts aggressively towards a human or a pet, attempts to enter a home, or is injured and cannot move freely to escape," police officials said in the public alert. "If a bear creates any problem, the New Castle Police will respond and, if necessary, the NYDEC."

Officials offered a few guidelines for avoiding conflict with the native black bears.

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The best way to keep bears from entering a yard is to remove any sort of food, public safety officials say. Even bird feeders should be removed April 1, according to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recommendations. Garbage cans should be emptied frequently and kept clean. Grills with leftover grease can also attract bears, officials warned.

Conservation officials also noted that compost piles can be too inviting for unwelcome four-pawed visitors. Bears are attracted to all types of garbage. Do not add refuse to compost piles. If composting is located close to a home, then move it as far away as possible.