Feeding or harassing a bear in Dubuque could now cost you up to $750

Feeding or harassing a bear in Dubuque could now cost you up to $750.

The Dubuque City Council passed a new ordinance last night aimed at reducing human-bear encounters. Under the new rule, residents can be fined if they feed bears—or if they refuse to remove bird feeders or secure trash after being warned by police or conservation officers.

Experts warn that when bears become dependent on human-provided food, it can lead to dangerous and aggressive behavior.

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, at least one black bear is currently living in Dubuque, and four are known to inhabit northeast Iowa. As black bear populations in Minnesota and Wisconsin continue to grow, Iowa wildlife officials expect sightings to become more common.