Bears move into comfy chip pile at former Domtar plant

The City's bearcatchers have been called this afternoon to remove a bear family that's been hanging around Boniferro Mill Works Inc., the former Domtar hardwood operation.

A mother bear and her three cubs have taken up residence in the chip pile there.

Doug Belanger (shown), or one of his colleagues from Chi Makwa Enterprises, is expected to remove the animals later today.

Meanwhile, City police report that a homeowner shot a bear Monday on Peoples Road after it confronted his 12-year-old daughter.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, police were called to a home at the north end of Peoples Road, where a bear broke a window.

By the time police arrived, the bear had already left without causing further damage.

Then, at approximately 4:40 p.m. Monday in the 1500 block of Peoples Road, just south of the first bear incident, a 12-year-old girl went into her garage to get her bicycle and was confronted by a bear.

The bear was not frightened off and fearing for the safety of his child, the homeowner shot the bear.

Police were notified of the incident and City staff removed the bear from the residence.

Officers were unable to determine if the same bear was involved in both incidents.