Man slapped by bear, slapped with fine

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LONGWOOD, Fla., Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A Florida man whose face was cut by a slap from a bear outside his door pleaded no contest to a charge of feeding wildlife.

Authorities said food Ernest Stamm, 49, of the Longwood area, put out for feral cats attracted the bear to his front door Dec. 10 and led to him getting slapped across the face by the adult female animal when he opened the door to investigate the noise, the Orlando Sentinel reported Wednesday.

Stamm, who was treated for cuts to his face at an Altamonte Springs hospital, was issued a ticket for feeding wildlife.

The bear, which had two cubs old enough to fend for themselves, was euthanized Dec. 11 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Stamm pleaded no contest to the charge Tuesday and was sentenced to six months probation and a $200 fine.