The traps are set as wildlife officials search for a bear in Volusia County that killed a small dog and attacked its owner.

It all happened on Hollowridge Drive in the Country Village Mobile Home Park in Orange City. 

Officials said since this bear not only attacked a dog, but turned around to attack a man, it will be euthanized. They said to be sure they catch the right one, they will compare DNA that was found on the deceased pup.

Alan Bryant just let out his two-year-old Yorkie named Tigger, when he heard barking, then an awful cry. 

Bryant ran to the backyard and saw a bear attacking Tigger. 

“That’s when I started to really run back there, yelling at the top of my lungs," Bryant said. “My flood lights came on in the back and he was running toward me. He was far enough. I thought I could make it. But I slipped here on the corner and I looked over and he was already on me. He’s that fast. That’s when he swiped at me and pretty much knocked me down, and I dove for the door.”

Bryant was injured on his backside, but he said that pain doesn’t compare to the pain he’s feeling now from losing his beloved dog Tigger. 

“It was too late, our dog was gone," he said. 

He now has a bear trap and cameras in his backyard - set up by the Florida Fish and Wildlife. Something he said is now a little too late. 

“It should’ve been done before because we’ve reported this enough times," Bryant said. 

The bear's paw prints and claw marks are still visible on Bryant's patio floor.

Neighbors said they regularly see bears in the neighborhood. One sent us pictures of a momma bear and two cubs nearby. 


The bear trap Florida Fish and Wildlife officials have set up in the Orange City neighborhood. (Jason Hughes, Staff)

We don’t know if that bear is the one responsible for this attack, but Florida Fish and Wildlife said they will consider the well-being of the cubs before making a decision.

For now officials said neighbors need to be on high alert in the evenings and mornings, since that is the time they believe the bear may come around and get caught in one of their traps.

The attack happened nearly three weeks before the Florida Bear Hunt, expected to start Oct. 24.

For months, we’ve shared both sides of the controversial issue of hunting black bears. Proponents cite run-ins like this one as their reason for wanting a hunt.

Florida Fish and Wildlife officials say the hunt is part of their comprehensive control strategy to manage populations. Fish and Wildlife officials said the hunt is part of the agency's comprehensive strategy to control bear populations.

Opponents of the hunt, however, said the hunt is immoral and unconstitutional. Last week, a judge in Tallahassee ruled the statewide bear hunt will proceed. The seven-day hunt runs from Oct. 24 to Oct. 30.