Beware bear venturing into city
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on June 23, 2006 1:50 PM
Keep your eyes peeled and your picnic baskets secure -- and please, don't feed the wildlife.
A black bear was spotted twice Thursday inside the Goldsboro city limits, and police officials said residents should be on the lookout for the animal.
Billie Mozingo said her daughter called law enforcement officials when she saw a bear in a horse corral at the Mozingo Stables on East Ash Street.
Goldsboro police Maj. Mike Hopper said by the time officers responded, the suspect had fled.
"By the time we got there, the lady said she had seen the bear run off into the woods," he said. "Later, it was seen crossing the highway."
Hopper added this isn't the first time Goldsboro and Wayne residents have encountered bears looking for food -- nor does he suspect it will be the last. Development in the county and construction of new subdivisions push wildlife out of their homes and toward food sources, he said.
"Every seven or eight years we have a bear sighting in town," Hopper said. "Periodically, they do come out of the woods."
The best thing to do if you see Thursday's bear -- or any bear for that matter -- is to call law enforcement officials, Hopper added. Feeding or approaching these animals could be a dangerous move, he said.
Residents with information regarding the whereabouts of the bear are asked to call the Goldsboro Police Department or Wayne County Sheriff's office.