AMHERST — A black bear that allegedly jumped onto a vehicle and a hen that tried to attack a woman were among the animal-related calls to which Amherst Police responded during the first weekend in June.
At 7:26 p.m. Sunday, officers were called to a West Street home after a mother bear knocked over a bird feeder and then ran at and allegedly jumped onto a vehicle, said Detective Greg Wise.
An air horn from the cruiser was used to scare off the bear and her two cubs, who were eating the bird seed and suet that fell from the feeder.
Animal Welfare Officer Carol Hepburn said residents need to be mindful that bears are coming out of hibernation and seeking sources of food.
Hepburn said bird feeders should be taken down, trash should be secured, grills should be cleaned and pets should be fed indoors. People should also take care with their compost piles.
“They should remove all of the food sources,” Hepburn said.
Another black bear and her cub walking on Country Corners Road at 9:25 a.m. Sunday went into the woods before police got there, Wise said.
Meanwhile, police were notified at 11:01 a.m. Friday that a rooster attempted to attack a woman in the yard at her Amity Street home.
Hepburn responded to the scene and discovered that the fowl was actually a hen that was pecking at the grass and unlikely to attack a person.
In fact, Hepburn said the hen is docile. “She’s very quiet.”
The hen was removed from the location and brought to a farm for safe keeping until its owner is identified. But Hepburn said it is unlikely an owner will be found as any backyard chickens in that part of town have to be licensed, and none currently are near Amity Street.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.