The man was familiar with the bear, the Pohatcong Township's mayor said.
UPDATE: Cops now questioning man's account of bear attack
A bear attacked and injured a Pohatcong Township man before running off into the woods Wednesday morning on the man's property off Route 627, the township's mayor said.
The black bear, estimated to be between 450 to 500 pounds, ran over to the 57-year-old man about 9:30 a.m. and began swatting at the man, Mayor James Kern III said. The man was outside trying to feed his animals in the 300 block of Route 627, Kern said.
The mayor said he didn't know what kind of animals the man owned, but indicated they were his pets, not farm animals. Pohatcong Township police said the man was feeding a cat.
"The victim said the bear was startled and reacted by swiping his paw at the victim," police posted on the department's Facebook page.
The man suffered cuts in the attack to his arms and hands and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg, but injuries did not appear to be life threatening, Kern said.
Bear pays surprise visit to childcare center
"We would like everyone to know that we have no concerns at this time that the bear will have any further contacts with the public," police said.
A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection spokesman confirmed the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife is at the property.
Kern said the man was familiar with the bear and had seen the bear before, but it never approached him in the past.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.