Dolores Bears Get Their Game On...But Not With Sports

Multiple sightings of bears in the town of Dolores may prompt the town board to consider an ordinance requiring the use of bear-resistant trash containers. This summer there have been numerous reports of bears digging through waste containers the night before morning pickup. Sheriff Steve Nowlin fired a rubber slug into the rear end of one bear he spied roaming through town August 1st, driving it away. Town Manager Lana Hancock tells KSJD the sheriff’s office has been very active in patrolling for bears, but an ordinance may be deemed necessary. Hancock says the topic will likely come up for discussion at the board’s next meeting August 14th. Any possible ordinance would have to be written and then to have a first reading as well as a public hearing before it could be adopted. In the meantime, Hancock says town residents are encouraged to try to put their trash out the morning of pickup if possible, rather than the night before.