Grafton native survives bear swipe to the face in Naples, Florida

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Andy Meunier tells CBS 58 News that he's happy to be alive after a close encounter with a bear with one heck of a left hook.

"I've got scarring on my face but otherwise I'll be okay," he tells CBS 58's Michele McCormack. "We used to go to Northern Wisconsin all the time for vacation. In all those years, I saw a bear once or twice. I move to Florida and see them more often."

But he never expected this up close and personal.

Meunier says he knew there were bears in his Naples, Florida neighborhood.

They'd often see garbage cans knocked over and neighbors had been recording groups of bears going through the trash.

Late Tuesday night he took his dog, Howie, out for a walk when a bear, estimated to be around 250 lbs., came from the darkness behind him.

"The dog saw it. Ran back into the house. I didn't see it. I turned around and there it was. It never got on its hind feet. But, he gave me a swat with its left paw right in the face."

His memory is fuzzy but Andy says he made a b-line for his house and the bear did not pursue him.

But wildlife officials say the bears have been back.

They were spotted on field cameras set up in the neighborhood.

They've also set up traps with donuts, but the bears haven't fallen for it.

Andy is keeping a closer eye on things for now on.

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NAPLES, Fla. (AP) -- A man says he was letting his dog outside in Florida when a large bear attacked him.

Andrew Meunier tells news outlets that he let his dog out of his home about 11 p.m. Tuesday and spotted the 4-foot (1-meter) bear standing next to him when he stepped outside.

Meunier said he struggled to get away and managed to get back through his front door.

A 911 call revealed that Meunier suffered a minor facial laceration from the bear attack. He sought treatment at a local hospital and received 41 stitches.

"I'm just happy to be alive," Meunier said. "It could've been a totally different story."