A North Canaan man suffered minor injuries after an encounter with a bear on his property on Monday morning, according to state officials.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded just before 6 a.m. to a report of a bear attack, it occurred when a man came between a bear and his dog. The bear’s cubs were also on the property.

According to DEEP, the man sustained “scratches to the chest” and declined medical treatment at the scene. The man’s dog was unharmed. The man was not named.

DEEP said there were bird feeders on the property. The DEEP EnCon Police and staff from the Wildlife Division are following up on the incident, which remains under investigation.

“As Connecticut’s bear population continues to grow and expand, it is imperative for residents to reduce potential conflicts by properly managing outdoor food sources such as bird seed and other feeders, garbage, pet food, backyard chickens, and grills,” DEEP spokesperson James Fowler said.

“Bears that access human-associated food often become food-conditioned and lose their natural fear of people, which can lead to increased risks and property damage. Residents with pets or walking dogs in areas with known bear activity should also maintain high awareness of their surroundings,” he said.

“Carrying a bear deterrent, such as a bear whistle or bear spray, is recommended and we advise owners to keep their pets leashed, at all times, while on walks.”

“DEEP continues to encourage all residents to take proactive steps to help keep bears wild and communities safe,” Fowler concluded.

The number of bear sightings reached 159 out of the state’s 169 towns and cities last year, according to the 2025 “The State of the Bears,” an annual Department of Energy and Environmental Protection publication that tracks their growth.

The yearly report, which was released in March, comes amid renewed interest in a black bear hunting season, which was not approved by the legislature to date this year. DEEP officials said the black bear population remains stable, with between 1,000 and 1,200 bears, and has a high potential for growth due to “an abundance of suitable habitat and excessive human-related food across their range.”

Under Connecticut law, you can kill a bear in self-defense if you reasonably believe it’s about to cause serious harm to you or someone else or if it’s entering a building with people inside, according to DEEP officials. In addition, a bear may be killed if it is injuring or killing one’s pet. But if a bear was shot and killed, it must be reported to DEEP, and law enforcement would investigate each case.

The number of serious conflicts involving bears is also on the rise, according to officials. Reports of home entries, livestock attacks, apiary and other agricultural damage, damage to vehicles and structures, as well as physical altercations with pets and people, are following a long-term upward trend. In 2024, Connecticut experienced two bear attacks on humans.