FWC: Man feeds bear, bear attacks man

LONGWOOD, Florida -- A man has to go to court to answer charges after a bear attacked him.

Ernest David Stamm, 49, opened his front door the evening of Dec. 10 and was hit in the face by a bear. Injured, he called 911.

When rescue personnel got to his home, they couldn't reach Stamm because the bear was still there. Eventually, Stamm was taken to a hospital in Altamonte Springs and treated for cuts to his face.

Investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) came to Stamm's home and found "ample evidence" of trash and that bears were frequently in the yard.

It is against Florida law to feed bears or intentionally place food or garbage in a manner that attracts bears.

Because the bear that struck Stamm had come into contact with humans, it had to be euthanized. It had two cubs who the FWC said are old enough to survive on their own, but ideally would have stayed with their mother for about six more months.

"This whole, sad situation easily could have been prevented if the bear had been allowed to remain wild," said Dave Telesco, FWC's Bear Management Program coordinator.

"Unfortunately, once bears become used to humans and the food they provide, they become bold and unafraid of people, which can lead to situations like this. This is why it is so critical that residents follow our recommendations and do all they can to keep the attractants away from bears."

Stamm will appear in court in January, charged with feeding bears.