ASHEVILLE - The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has approved a rule that prohibits the feeding of black bears, as well as the placement of food that attracts bears, in Buncombe County.
In the text of the proposed emergency rule, the commission said the purposeful feeding of black bears in Buncombe County has resulted in "a significant threat" to human health and safety.
From May 1, 2026, through Sept. 15, 2026, the N.C. WRC received 478 reports of interactions with black bears in Buncombe County, with one injury reported, according to data provided by the N.C. WRC Oct. 1.
These interactions included 30 reports of people feeding bears, 12 reports of bears feeding on pet food, and 28 reports of bears that posed a threat to people.
In
addition, the commission has documented 115 bear home break-ins since 2023, and 71 of those break-ins have occurred in the last four-and-a-half months, the commission said.
The proposed rule comes on the heels of a public debate over the fate ofa mother bear who broke into nine homes in Asheville and injured a woman. The bear, named "Dolly" by her supporters, was set to be euthanized by the state, but the N.C. WRC walked back that decision after a public outcry. If Dolly can be caught, she will be sent to the North Carolina Zoo until the state can permanently place her, the commission said.
Asheville and Buncombe already have ordinances on the books that prohibit the feeding of bears, but the state doesn't have a rule prohibiting bear feeding.
Hannah Furgiulele, who led the campaign to save Dolly, told the Citizen Times Oct. 1 that she supports the emergency rule.
"Any attention to this issue is important to me and, I think, a good step," she said.
The commissioners voted unanimously to proceed with the rule proposal Oct. 1. It now goes to the Office of Administrative Hearings for final approval, a required step for an emergency rule.
This story will be updated.
Kara Fohner is the Public Safety Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email her at kfohner@usatodayco.com or call her at 980-241-8671.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: State proposes rule prohibiting bear feeding in Buncombe
