BETHLEHEM, Conn. — A Connecticut man faces charges after fatally shooting a black bear he said threatened his family at their home, authorities said Tuesday.
Todd Topicz, 42, of Bethlehem, was arrested Monday by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police, officials confirmed. The incident occurred when a 460-pound bear allegedly entered the family’s garage, where Topicz’s two children were playing, according to a statement from Topicz to local media.
Topicz told WFSB-TV that his pregnant wife alerted him to the bear’s presence early Monday morning. He said the animal came within feet of his children, prompting him to retrieve a firearm and shoot the bear in self-defense. “I have no idea why I’m being charged,” Topicz said, expressing confusion over the arrest.
Connecticut law, signed in 2023 by Gov. Ned Lamont, permits the use of deadly force against bears if a person reasonably believes the animal poses an immediate threat to people, pets, or property, such as entering a building. However, authorities have not disclosed specific details about why Topicz was charged, citing an ongoing investigation.
The case has reignited debate over Connecticut’s growing bear population and human-wildlife conflicts. State records indicate black bear sightings have increased in recent years, with incidents ranging from property damage to rare attacks, including a 2022 case in which a bear mauled a 10-year-old boy in Morris.
Topicz was released on bond and is scheduled to appear in court next month. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection declined to comment further, stating the matter is under review by the state’s attorney’s office.
