Man Arrested for Shooting Bear That Invaded His Home With Kids Inside
2 days ago
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A Connecticut man was arrested after he shot and killed a bear that wandered into his home while his children were inside.
Todd Topicz of Bethlehem said he was trying to protect his family when he fired warning shots that ultimately killed the bear. He said he acted in self-defense, but he now faces criminal charges. While the incident happened last August, Topicz just spoke to local media about the arrest.
The Context
Connecticut is experiencing a surge in bear encounters. In 2024, the state recorded over 3,000 human-bear conflicts, including 67 incidents of bears entering homes, according to 2025 “State of the Bears” report released by DEEP in March. The numbers are an increase from those reported in the previous year.
Stock image: A black bear chews on some toast it ripped out of a residential garbage bag in summer. Stock image: A black bear chews on some toast it ripped out of a residential garbage bag in summer. AwakenedEye/Getty Images
What to Know
A 2023 Connecticut law permits residents to kill a bear in self-defense if it is about to harm a person or pet, or if it enters an occupied building. Topicz argues that the animal posed an immediate threat when it walked into his garage, where his two kids were playing.
“We were all threatened. It entered our home,” Topicz said in an interview with local CBS News affiliate WFSB 3.
The bear reportedly grabbed some bags before being chased up a tree by the family’s dog. Topicz said the bear wasn’t backing down, prompting him to fire warning shots. The bear then ran into the woods.
It wasn’t until the following day that he realized he had struck and killed the animal.
A neighbor discovered the dead bear and reported it to police. Two weeks later, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) charged Topicz with the illegal taking of a bear.
“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 said.
Newsweek reached out to DEEP for comment.
What People Are Saying
Topicz, in an interview with WFSB: “I have no idea why DEEP ended up charging me for this.”
DEEP, in a report: “The number of serious conflicts involving bears also is rising. Reports of home entries, livestock attacks, apiary and other agricultural damage, damage to vehicles and structures, as well as physical altercations with pets and people are following a long-term upward trend.”
What’s Next
Topicz was admitted into an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders. If he completes it successfully, charges will be dropped.
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