To Abate Bears, Truckee Hikes Fines On Negligent Garbage Disposal

TRUCKEE (CBS/AP) -- Another Lake Tahoe-area community is cracking down on people who allow easy access to garbage by bears, dogs, raccoons and other animals.

The town of Truckee, Calif., has adopted new rules designed to prevent careless handling of trash and the critters that come with it.

Similar to regulations at nearby Tahoe Donner and Incline Village, Truckee's trash ordinance comes with teeth: repeat violators face fines of up to $1,000.

The rules approved by the Truckee Town Council took effect a week ago.

Bear League founder Ann Bryant told the Reno Gazette-Journal the action is long overdue.

Officials in Incline Village say bear complaints there have dropped significantly since they upped their fines following a record year of problems in 2007.

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