A Connecticut father was arrested for fatally shooting a black bear outside his home — even though he claimed it was self-defense after the terrifying animal came “within feet” of his kids.
Todd Topicz told WFSB that he was jostled awake by his pregnant wife in August after a bear came up to their two kids as they played in the garage of their Bethlehem home, while also chasing their dog up a tree.
“He walked right into the garage with people in there. He didn’t care. So, who knows what would’ve happened next time,” Topicz said of the bear.
Todd Topicz was arrested for shooting a black bear after it entered his garage. WFSBTopicz said he fired a few warning shots into the air, sending the bear running into the woods — only realizing the next day that he had unintentionally shot it after a neighbor alerted police to the dead bear.
The dad was arrested two weeks later by the state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) — even though he said he was just saving his kids.
“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.
The arrest confused Topicz because a 2023 law says people can kill a bear in self-defense if they reasonably believe that the animal is about the inflict bodily harm to a human, injure or kill a person’s pet, or enters a building occupied by persons.
“We were all threatened. It entered our home. And I have no idea why DEEP ended up charging me for this,” Topicz said.
State legislators have since written a letter to DEEP commissioner Katie Dykes seeking clarification about his arrest.
Topicz was confused because a 2023 law says people can kill a bear in self-defense. WFSB
The dad said he was doing an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders. WFSB
Topicz meant to fire warning shots into the air, but accidentally hit the bear. WFSB
Topicz said the bear entered his house through the garage, which is where his kids were at the time. WFSB“The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is not commenting on the case. Why? Has the case been sealed? If so, why? A public statement from DEEP regarding this public safety matter would help resolve confusion and enable us to better communicate with our constituents,” Sens. Eric Berthel, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding wrote in a joint statement.
Topicz said he was doing an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders.
As long as he completes the program, no charges will be filed against him.
DEEP did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
