An elderly man and his dog were mauled to death in Collier County, Florida, on Monday, and Florida wildlife officials suspect one or more black bears were behind the attack.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was called to the Jerome, Florida, house of Robert Markel, 89, at around 7 a.m. after his daughter reported seeing a bear kill his dog. The area is just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.
When personnel arrived at the scene, they found Mr. Markel’s body a couple of hundred yards away from the dead dog. FWC officials suspect Mr. Markel was mauled earlier that morning, reported the Naples Daily News.
If their deaths are confirmed to have been caused by such an animal, the incident will be Florida’s first known black bear deadly attack on a human.
One bear attack in Florida this year has been confirmed, but no bear attack in Collier County has been recorded since 2018, according to FWC data. Neither of those attacks led to human deaths.
As of Monday night, the agency had killed and removed two bears from the area; both will be tested to see if they were involved in the attack on Mr. Markel, according to Gulf Coast News.
FWC officials warned other area locals to stay aware and stay away.
“The bear involved may still be in the area as our officers continue to secure the perimeter. Out of an abundance of caution, we urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and avoid the area,” FWC Officer George Reynaud said, according to Cape Coral’s WFTX-TV.
