As you all know, the Dorset dump has put up an electric fence. This is because people were getting nervous and the bears were getting too comfortable around the people. Now, the black bears are on a search for food, which makes our homes, cottages and campsite the main targets for the bears.

 These bears are now wandering around town looking for food. They are crossing the streets; this will then lead to them being hit and killed by our vehicles. On their search for food our homes can be broken into. They are attracted to things like garbage, birdseed, pet food, grease and food residue on barbecues, which most residences have.   

The Ministry of Natural Resources says that the bears need to learn to hunt for food again. The truth is that the bears never learned how to hunt because the dump has been open for years. Their parents had taught them to get food from the dump. Now the bears have no food. If a bear is successful at getting food from your home, cottage, or campsite, it will then return for more. If a bear breaks into someone’s home it will be relocated. If it comes back and breaks in again, it will then be killed.

As a community we need to decide if we want the risk of bears at the dump or in our community. We feel that keeping the bears at the dump reduces the risks not only to ourselves, but to the bears as well.

If you agree with removing the fence please e-mail your name to danipost@xplornet-.com with the subject “Help The Bears;” we will then add you to the petition list.

Here are 10 things to make your home bear proof.

1) Keep garbage in the house, garage or shed until pick up day;

2) Don’t add meat products or cooked food to compost, turn it regularly, and keep it covered;

3) Pick ripe and fallen fruit daily;

4) Remove unused fruit trees;

5) Use birdfeeders only in the winter;

6) Keep ground free of seeds;

7) Clean barbecue grill after each use;

8) Store covered in a secure area;

9) Bring pet dishes inside and clean up any spillage, and

10) Store pet food indoors.   

Danielle Post and Andrea Daries,
Dorset