Harassing or feeding a bear in Dubuque is punishable by a fine of up to $750 after the city council passed an ordinance last night.
A $750 fine could also be issued if a Dubuque resident refuses to take down a bird feeder or stop leaving trash outside when police or conservation officials ask.
Dubuque County Conservation Director Brian Preston
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Experts say dependency on human-provided food sources can lead to potentially aggressive behavior by the bears.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says at least one black bear is a Dubuque resident and four bears call northeast Iowa home. The DNR expects more bear sightings in Iowa, as Minnesota and Wisconsin black bear populations expand southward.