Collier County man charged in black bear's death
News Release
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Media contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) law enforcement officers arrested a Golden Gate Estates man
early Tuesday morning and charged him with two felonies relating to
the death of a Florida black bear.
Ryan G. Toranzo (DOB 03/17/85) of Naples is charged
with wounding or killing a species designated as endangered,
threatened or of special concern, and with animal cruelty. Both
offenses are felonies. He also is facing a misdemeanor charge for
discharging a firearm in public.
The FWC was called to 3645 18 Ave., S.E. in Naples
at 11 p.m. Monday, soon after the Collier County Sheriff's Office
responded and found the carcass of an approximately 400-pound bear.
Based on preliminary statements made and evidence collected at the
scene, FWC investigators believe Toranzo shot at the bear and used
his truck to pursue the bear. A necropsy (animal autopsy) will
determine the bear's cause of death.
"There are things you can do to reduce bear
conflicts and prevent situations from escalating," said Dave
Telesco, FWC Bear Management Program coordinator. "The FWC is here
to help."
"If you have a bear problem, there are procedures
in place to address it," said FWC Capt. Jayson Horadam. "Because of
these alleged extreme actions, this individual now faces serious
penalties, including thousands of dollars in fines and up to five
years in jail."
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