The injuries were not consistent with an animal attack, Pohatcong Township police said.
Pohatcong Township police say the man who reported being attacked by a bear did not have injuries consistent with an animal attack.
A 57-year-old homeowner about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday reported being attacked by a black bear in the 300 block of Route 627. The man told police he was feeding his pets when a black bear, estimated to be between 450 to 500 pounds, ran over and began swatting at him.
The man suffered cuts to his arms and hands and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg, but injuries did not appear to be life threatening, township Mayor James Kern III had said.
Pohatcong Township police on Thursday just after 1:30 p.m. posted an update on the department's Facebook page indicating the reported attack is bogus.
"After investigation, the Pohatcong Police have concluded injuries sustained to the victim were not caused by result of a bear encounter," police stated. "Although the victim maintains his account as to his injuries, his statement is not supported by the physical evidence."
Kern said as of Thursday afternoon, the man, who is yet to be identified, has not been charged.
"Everything is still under investigation," Kern said.
Black bear reportedly attacks man feeding pets
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife was at the property Wednesday, a DEP spokesman confirmed. The spokesman said DEP biologists also determined the man's injuries were not consistent with a bear attack.
The spokesman referred questions about the investigation to police.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.