There's a black bear in Fairfield.
According to , the bear was first spotted last night around 8 p.m. walking up the driveway of the residence at 3025 Burr St. The owner of that home reportedly chased the bear away, into the woods toward 11 O'Clock Road.
Word of the sighting has traveled quickly among neighbors in the northern part of Burr Street.
One resident said her neighbor called her about it last night. She immediately went to bring her cat back inside and that's when she saw the bear. It was a ways away, standing on its hind legs, pushing against a small tree.
"It's not something you expect," she said.
The woman estimated that the bear was about five to six feet tall. She was among several who contacted Fairfield Animal Control.
Paul Miller, Fairfield Animal Control Officer, said the bear was spotted again at about 8:30 this morning by a First Student bus driver—among several others—in the area of Gilbert Road, near Brett Woods Open Space.
A member of Miller's team responded but the bear was gone by the time he got there.
Of the sightings, Miller said, "It is very rare, but they have come into town in the past."
He urged anyone who sees the bear to call the Fairfield Police non-emergency line right away at 203-254-4800. While the bear does not necessarily present an immediate threat, Miller said, “A bear is a bear.”
Editor's note: Monitor Darien Patch for all your area wild animal coverage. Here's a roundup of recent articles on various beasts:
- BEARS (Wednesday): "
- BEARS (June 9): "
- COYOTES (Thursday): "Coyotes Kill 5 Dogs in Fairfield in 5 Months"
- BEES (Wednesday): "
- MOUNTAIN LIONS (just for fun, June 8):
This article on Fairfield Patch.
