AI-assisted summary

A Volusia County Sheriff's K-9 and its handler unexpectedly encountered a bear while searching for a suspect.

Bear-related calls in Florida have increased by 42% since 2016, coinciding with human population growth.

In response to rising bear encounters, state officials are preparing for Florida's first bear hunt in a decade.

A Volusia County Sheriff's Office K-9 named Gator and its handler were combing the woods for a suspect near midnight on Sept. 6 when they found something else.

"Holy s***, that's a bear!" the deputy can be heard saying on released bodycam footage as she pulled quickly back. "Leave it, leave it," she told the excited dog.

"Fun being on your hands and knees and face to face with a bear," she said.

According to the , K-9 Gator was searching the

See Full Page