Some residents upset as police kill bear
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CLAYSBURG, Pa. -- Police shot a bear to death as at least 150 residents looked on, leaving some in the crowd questioning the use of force.
Deborah Weyandt was on her porch when she saw the bear running through a parking lot in Claysburg, Blair County. A driver in a pickup truck then chased the animal through the residential area.
The bear ended up climbing a tree. The crowd started forming and didn't heed a neighbor's request to leave, Ms. Weyandt said.
Authorities used a tranquilizer dart and the bear came down, but the animal then started running. Greenfield Township police officers fired, killing the animal.
One witness videotaped the encounter and distributed the footage to local television stations. It shows the bear running away as police open fire and people in the crowd scream; several people then try to confront the officers.
The video has been posted to YouTube
The Pennsylvania Game Commission said today that police acted properly.
Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser said it was clear that sedatives were having no immediate effect on the animal, which could have easily attacked bystanders.
First Published June 20, 2008 10:29 am
