FLORENCE, Ore. -- A bad year for bear damage in Florence and Yachats led to the killings of six problem bears, wildlife officials said Wednesday.

The bears that were killed were repeatedly seen in the daytime and didn't show wariness of people, meaning they had come to associate people with food, authorities said.

Four of the bears were considered public safety risks due to their behavior. Officials said one bear broke through a kitchen window to look for food and another charged at a homeowner in a back yard while it growled and snarled.

The other two bears that were killed had tried to break into a goat pen from which a goat was killed last week.

The bears became safety risks partly because people fed them, officials said. The berry crop may also be a factor.

“A poor or perhaps just late berry crop this year is sending bears into residential areas looking for food,” said Doug Cottam, a district wildlife biologist. “In times like these, it’s even more important to not teach bears bad habits that endanger them and your neighbors.

In all, 12 bears have been killed in 2008.

Officials said it's important for people to leave bears wild so they learn to rely on natural food sources.