Connecticut Dad Arrested After Shooting Bear Near Children

Todd Topicz, a Connecticut father and Army veteran, was arrested after fatally shooting a black bear that entered his garage where his children were playing, claiming he acted in self-defense to protect his family. Topicz fired warning shots to scare the bear, later discovering he had unintentionally killed it. Despite a 2023 Connecticut law permitting lethal force if a bear threatens humans or enters an occupied building, the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) charged him with the illegal taking of a bear, requiring him to enter a rehabilitation program. The arrest has sparked confusion and controversy, with Topicz and local legislators questioning DEEP’s reasoning and communication, especially since the case records have been sealed. The incident has reignited debate over Connecticut's growing bear population and the adequacy and clarity of current laws regarding human-wildlife conflicts. Lawmakers have publicly called for DEEP to clarify its stance and provide guidance to the public.