ALBANY, NY (June 3, 2025) — A dispute has emerged between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Harrison Police Department over the handling of a bear sighting in a residential area on June 2, 2025.
According to a statement from the DEC, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) responded to the sighting in Harrison, Westchester County, after a bear was reported in the area. In consultation with DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife, the ECOs determined the bear posed no immediate threat to residents and had access to escape routes to nearby wooded areas. The DEC advised the Harrison Police Department to take action only if the bear became a threat to public safety, opting to let the bear leave on its own.
SEE: Harrison Police Shoot and Kill Black Bear Behind House
However, the Harrison Police Department’s account differs. At approximately 2:45 p.m. on June 2, the Harrison Police, along with a uniformed officer from the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, responded to the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Madison Street in West Harrison, where the bear was spotted. The bear retreated into a wooded area out of sight, and notifications were made to the community, the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, and Preston School.
Later that day, the bear returned to a densely populated area between backyards on Columbus Avenue, where homes are mostly smaller-sized two-family lots with retaining walls. Despite attempts to contain or push the bear back toward the woods, the Harrison Police Department reported that officers from both agencies kept a careful eye on the bear to ensure public safety. Ultimately, after further consideration and with the bear remaining in a backyard on Columbus Avenue, the decision was made to euthanize the bear due to the difficulty of safely relocating it in the populated area. The bear’s body was removed by the Town’s contracted animal removal service.
The Harrison PD took issue with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police, saying they were unable to provide any type of assistance whatsoever to Harrison PD.
The Harrison Police Department said it was unable to obtain tranquilizing or trapping resources from DEC or Westchester County or private sources..
The Harrison Police Department announced it will explore the possibility of having several officers cross-trained in animal tranquilization and trapping. The department also plans to follow up with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for further guidance.
To reduce human-bear conflicts, the DEC advises residents to follow the Six at-home BearWise Basics: never feed or approach bears, secure food, garbage, and recycling, remove bird feeders when bears are active, never leave pet food outdoors, clean and store grills and smokers, and alert neighbors to bear activity. If a bear is spotted in a backyard, the DEC recommends making loud noises from a safe distance to scare it away, removing attractants like garbage or pet food, and checking the yard for bears before letting pets outside.
The DEC also outlined when to report a bear sighting: if the bear presents an immediate risk to public safety, call 911; if a bear is damaging property or reluctant to leave but it’s not an emergency, contact the regional wildlife office during business hours or the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).
More information on reducing bear encounters can be found at the DEC’s BearWise page at https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/black-bear/bearwise and its Black Bear Response Manual at https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bears1.pdf.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.