A black bear spread fear and terror among residents of Vernon Township in New Jersey, USA, when it invaded a Dollar General store and began chasing customers, employees, and the owner’s dog. The incredible incident was reported by the business owner to police. Specifically, the bear allegedly scratched the leg of a 90-year-old woman, according to the New York Times and city authorities. It should be noted that the wild animal was guided out of the store by a real estate agent who intervened, and then it left.
Read: Shock in Japan: ‘Bear attack victim’ was actually murdered by his son
USA: Bear euthanized for safety reasons
However, authorities searched for and located the bear in order to euthanize it, as – according to them – it posed a danger to public safety. It should be noted that the bear’s “stroll” through the store was captured on video by a customer, while employees shouted for evacuation of the area. A few moments earlier, the same bear had been spotted wandering in the parking lot near the highway for hours. A nearby restaurant owner stated that police used rubber bullets to repel it, but without success. “It was dazed, wandering aimlessly”. It is emphasized that Sussex County in New Jersey is one of the areas with the highest concentration of black bears, with approximately 294 recorded incidents this year alone, including sightings, attacks on animals, and attempted home entries. Incidents like entering a store or direct contact, however, are not as common.
A black bear 🐻 wandered into the Dollar General in Vernon, Sussex County, startling shoppers. Local real estate agent Sean Clarkin quickly stepped in, guiding the bear through the aisles and out the front door of the store
Guess he was hungry 😂 https://t.co/s3RoygQave pic.twitter.com/iBCQnUCgxX
— Wake Up NJ 🇺🇸 New Jersey (@wakeupnj) September 17, 2025
