Connecticut Dad Arrested After Saving Children by Fatally Shooting Bear [WATCH]

A Connecticut father is facing legal consequences after fatally shooting a black bear near his home, despite claiming the act was in self-defense to protect his children.

The state’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) arrested Todd Topicz two weeks after the August incident, sparking public concern and legislative scrutiny, as reported by The New York Post.

Connecticut dad arrested for shooting bear that ‘came within feet’ of his children https://t.co/fujm3I2Psj pic.twitter.com/R1sWoQWCo4

— The Independent (@Independent) April 22, 2025

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Topicz told WFSB that the encounter began when his pregnant wife woke him up after spotting a black bear approaching their two young children as they played in the family’s garage. The bear also chased the family’s dog up a tree, according to Topicz.

“He walked right into the garage with people in there. He didn’t care,” Topicz said. “So, who knows what would’ve happened next time.”

Topicz said he initially fired several warning shots into the air to scare the bear away. The bear ran off into the woods, and Topicz believed the situation had ended.

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However, a neighbor later reported finding a dead bear, prompting police to investigate. Officials determined the bear had been fatally shot, and DEEP charged Topicz with the illegal taking of a bear.

“DEEP contacted me and said, ‘Hey, since you shot the bear and killed it, we have to arrest you again and charge you again.’”

The arrest raised questions given that a 2023 Connecticut law allows a person to kill a bear in self-defense under specific conditions, including if the animal poses a threat to human life, pets, or enters an occupied building.

Topicz argued that all of those conditions applied. “We were all threatened. It entered our home. And I have no idea why DEEP ended up charging me for this,” he said.

In response to public outcry, three state senators—Eric Berthel, Henri Martin, and Stephen Harding—issued a joint statement requesting clarification from DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes.

“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.”

Topicz is currently enrolled in an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders. If successfully completed, the charges will be dropped and the case dismissed.

As of Tuesday, DEEP has not issued a formal response.

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