Full Breakdown
Euthanization of Bear After Incident at Dollar General in New Jersey
9/18/2025, 1:43:38 PM
Incident Overview
On September 16, 2025, a black bear was euthanized in Vernon Township, New Jersey, after it entered a Dollar General store and bit a 90-year-old woman. The incident occurred around 3:55 p.m. local time, following earlier reports of the bear behaving erratically on Route 94, where it had attacked a dog and chased employees from a nearby restaurant. The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment of her leg injury, which was classified as minor.
Sequence of Events
The bear, a 175-pound female, was first spotted around 1:39 p.m. on Route 94, prompting police to respond to reports of a "nuisance bear." Officers attempted to drive the bear away using rubber bullets, which initially caused it to flee into the woods. However, approximately two hours later, the bear re-emerged and entered the Dollar General, where it bit the woman. Witnesses reported that the bear appeared sick and was acting strangely throughout the day.
A customer, Sean Clarkin, filmed the bear's movements inside the store and attempted to guide it outside using a shopping cart. After the bear was led out, police followed it to a nearby property, where it was euthanized under New Jersey Fish and Wildlife's criteria for "category 1 bears," which are deemed a threat to public safety.
Official Statements & Responses
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) confirmed the bear's euthanization, stating that it was necessary to protect public safety. Local residents expressed concern over the bear's behavior, with some suggesting that the bear's erratic actions indicated it might have been sick. Christine Flohr, an employee at a nearby business, noted the need for better management of trash to prevent attracting bears into populated areas.
Criticism & Opposition
Community members voiced frustration over the incident, suggesting that it could have been avoided with better waste management practices. Flohr emphasized the importance of securing trash to deter bears, stating, "The takeaway is cover your garbage. Don’t feed the bears." Some local business owners echoed these sentiments, indicating that open dumpsters and accessible food sources contribute to the problem.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While most sources agree on the sequence of events leading to the bear's euthanization, there are discrepancies regarding the specifics of the woman's injury and the bear's behavior prior to entering the store. Some reports describe the injury as a bite, while others refer to it as a scratch. Additionally, witnesses have differing opinions on the bear's demeanor, with some describing it as "timid" and others as "zombie-like."
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you run a business, you gotta run a lot of different hats,” — Sean Clarkin, Local Realtor
- “As soon as I heard the gunshot — my heart dropped. They said they had to shoot him because he was a nuisance bear,” — Christine Flohr, Employee at Mountain Dispensary
- “These bears are euthanized as soon as possible to protect the public or eliminate further damage to agriculural crops or property,” — NJDEP Statement
What's Next
The remains of the bear have been collected for rabies testing, with results expected in three to five days. The incident remains under investigation by local authorities, and further updates are anticipated from the NJDEP and Vernon police.
