A Connecticut father was arrested for fatally capturing a black bear outdoors his dwelling — regardless that he claimed it was self-defense after the terrifying animal got here “within feet” of his children.
Todd Topicz instructed WFSB that he was jostled awake by his pregnant spouse in August after a bear got here as much as their two children as they performed within the storage of their Bethlehem dwelling, whereas additionally chasing their canine up a tree.
“He walked right into the garage with people in there. He didn’t care. So, who knows what would’ve happened next time,” Topicz stated of the bear.
Topicz stated he fired a number of warning photographs into the air, sending the bear operating into the woods — solely realizing the subsequent day that he had unintentionally shot it after a neighbor alerted police to the useless bear.
The dad was arrested two weeks later by the state’s Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety (DEEP) — regardless that he stated he was simply saving his children.
“DEEP contacted me and said hey since you shot the bear and killed it, we have to arrest you again and charge you again with illegal taking of a bear,” Topicz stated.
The arrest confused Topicz as a result of a 2023 legislation says individuals can kill a bear in self-defense in the event that they fairly consider that the animal is in regards to the inflict bodily hurt to a human, injure or kill an individual’s pet, or enters a constructing occupied by individuals.
“We were all threatened. It entered our home. And I have no idea why DEEP ended up charging me for this,” Topicz stated.
State legislators have since written a letter to DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes in search of clarification about his arrest.
“The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is not commenting on the case. Why? Has the case been sealed? If so, why? A public statement from DEEP regarding this public safety matter would help resolve confusion and enable us to better communicate with our constituents,” Sens. Eric Berthel, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding wrote in a joint assertion.
Topicz stated he was doing an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders.
So long as he completes this system, no fees will likely be filed towards him.
DEEP didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
