Citizen shoots, kills bear in City's north end
Friday, July 13, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
CITY POLICE
NEWS RELEASE
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Bear shot in the north end of the City
Last evening, officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service responded to a call regarding a bear being shot by a citizen in the north end of the city.
No one was injured during this incident; however the bear did die as a result of the gun shot.
It was found that charges were not appropriate in this incident; however citizens are reminded of the safety concerns of handling and discharging a firearm, as well as the fact that it is an offence to discharge a firearm within city limits.
The safety of the public remains the number one priority of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service.
We will continue to treat all calls regarding wildlife encounters seriously as we attempt to resolve them in a way that balances the need to preserve our local wildlife and the protection of our citizens.
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Neuro55 7/13/2012 4:42:41 PM ReportDispatched! No worries....MNR will be by to lay charges.
RLE 7/13/2012 5:12:26 PM ReportThis is getting scary! The government won't authorize the MNR to do its job. Now citizens are doing the job for them. If I were a betting man, I'd bet that before the bears go back to hibernating somebody in SSM will end up dead. Either they will be killed by a bear or somebody,while trying to kill a bear, will end up killing another person. In either case the blame will lie with Dalty and Davey,neither of whom gives a rats' butt for the safety of people in this community
DOMAR 7/13/2012 5:13:11 PM ReportShoot everyone of those bears. It won't be long before someone gets attacked. by a bear. What a useless animal!!
Freeatlast. 7/13/2012 5:14:49 PM ReportMNR, charges? really?
I called them last week b/c there was a huge bear on my deck when I got home. Was told, "We don't do anything about that anymore". She also offered me no suggestions on how to resolve the matter either before hanging up. So your options are pretty much, scare it into the neighbors yard or put a hole in it.
Neither very cool.
I'm In 7/13/2012 5:28:31 PM ReportAbsolutely DOMAR, what a useless animal, maybe the bleeding hearts will wake up in Toronto and bring back the spring bear hunt, but they don't care they don't deal with nusance bears. Maybe we should capture some and drop them off at Queen's Park
choniofthewoods 7/13/2012 5:42:03 PM ReportBears are not useless...saddens me to read that. We are in their territory...
Lucky01 7/13/2012 6:18:00 PM ReportI agree bring them to Queen's Park and let the do gooders deal with them!!
grammacol 7/13/2012 7:17:32 PM ReportGood for them!! I'll do the same thing if one ends up in my yard in the city. I completely respect what was done here and hope that more people follow suit. People don't realize that black bears are a predatory animal. It's just a matter of time before someone is seriously maimed or killed. A human life is more precious than a bear's life. So sad, too bad. If the ministry can't do the job then rest assured that the good northern Ontario folks will!!
Norm 7/13/2012 7:18:02 PM ReportIf the bear becomes a threat to humans, then what can you do. Sometimes they have to be kept in check.
fullstringer 7/13/2012 7:25:54 PM ReportI wish there were a few reporters that would investigate this story (and others)as opposed to simply typing in a copy of the police report? There has to be a lot more to this than was reported, otherwise the police would be laying charges? Was the bear coming thru a door? Did it have someone cornered? The police don't want details out probably because people might make the connection that it is legal to protect yourself or anyone for that matter, who is threatened by a bear. Regardless of where!
drypaint 7/13/2012 7:37:42 PM ReportIt had something to do with the guys beehives being a food source twice in a day.
Oreo cookie 7/13/2012 8:22:54 PM Reportexcellent point(s) fullstringer!!!!! Ya reporters.... where are you when we really need more accurate info?! Hmmmm, maybe the boys in blue are keeping tight lipped? Certainly not enough of info. to make any judgement fairly.
thera 7/13/2012 8:57:31 PM Report"no charges laid. Fact, it is an offence to discharge a firearm within city limits."
Ya, sounds like the person illegally using a gun within city limits was probably some buddy/family of a cop or a "well to do" citizen if no charges were laid.
Yes I know it could have been used in self-defense, but if that was the case, I'm sure the article would have mentioned it. The lack of details on this incident smells a little fishy to me...
Norm 7/13/2012 9:20:12 PM ReportBears luv fish!
Snowdon 7/13/2012 9:21:57 PM ReportBears are useless?
What an absolutely idiotic comment. Shows no understanding of how ecosystems operate, either.
thera 7/13/2012 10:13:22 PM ReportAgreed, what a terrible comment, if this person believes this way, maybe they should move to to an area with less wildlife about. We don't need such callus people here.
beanie 7/13/2012 10:17:17 PM ReportBears are useless? Moronic statement.. typical of a talking monkey!
Sault_ont 7/13/2012 10:29:50 PM ReportThat guy should have been Charged For using a gun within the City you do not shoot a bear within the city limits you let the Police deal with it.
kamen 7/14/2012 7:36:07 AM ReportThat is terrible, bears are not useless. It is not their fault that people leave food and garbage out for them, and that they happen to wander into a yard. If you don't want bears in your yard put up a fence. We have been tearing down their natural habitat in order to make room for us. I doubt if anyone will be killed, just be smart when you see a bear. Stay away from it. If you don't have food or garbage out all the time chances are they will go away. We don't need to kill them all.
J & D 7/14/2012 8:08:52 AM ReportI couldn't agree more Kamen - If I have to read one more story about wild life being 'dispatched' !!!
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. -Ghandi
It saddens me to be disgusted with the people of Sault Ste. Marie.
stuffthatbugsme 7/14/2012 8:57:23 AM ReportWhat makes a human life more important than a bears life? Life is Life. We are no better than any other life. yes if the bear was acting in a threatening manner something must be done. But on the other hand the bear was probably hungry and looking for food,
bluesslinger 7/14/2012 9:43:35 AM Report"What makes a human life more important than a bears life?"
Seriously?
sellerquick 7/14/2012 9:44:05 AM ReportBears have no natural predators; therefore, it's up to humans to keep their numbers in check. If the government won't sanction it, then we have to take care of the problem ourselves -- like we do for rats and other vermin! Aim carefully and shoot to kill!
vmac 7/14/2012 11:27:16 AM ReportUnfortunate for the bear for sure but whats more unfortunate is that bears are one of the top animals that actually improve itself by human presence and development. pretty much like a raccoon or a skunk or even deer for that matter.
I know we are living in their territory but tell that to developers right. It is up to us to manage their numbers. Trapping and transferring only works for so long then it becomes trading bears with other communities.
Transferring a bear with even the slightest chance of it not returning requires a trip of at least 100 kms away thats the absolute minimum.
However if the bear already has the taste for human food all its gonna do is eat human food in lets say montreal river, ranger lake or even thessalon.
With that said, there has been an explosion in population numbers, which means overlapping in territory amongst bears. Teenage bears or two to three year olds are the most common nuisance bear, they are on their own for the first time and are not big enough to claim and defend a territory hense 5th line or queen st east being all they can settle for. The scariest scenerio of these bears is that sometimes they are mothers with cubs.
Bears will keep exploding as long as we keep developing.development requires other methods of population control other than mother nature taking its course cause her course is much slower.
They need to be hunted again.
Thats the reality that even the most die hard animal lover needs to accept before some children start dying.
its only a matter of time.
vmac 7/14/2012 11:33:22 AM ReportThe criminal code allows you to use as much force as is necessary to defend yourself or others if you or they face grievous bodily harm or death. Those circumstances are subjective to each individual as long as you can articulate why you felt threatened.
If a bear came up onto my deck or in my yard especially with one of my three kids home, it would be handed a first class ticket to the resurrection via my firearm for sure. I would have no problem standing up to a judge and defending my case especially when the gov agency responsible for management says its not doing it anymore.
M-E @ Martin's 7/14/2012 12:01:31 PM Report@vmac, I couldn't of said it better. I don't think people realize how many bears there are roaming around this year. It's scary. I've chased 3 off our property this year already. Sometimes they're walking around our trailers, while I show trailers to customers... Sometimes they're up in the trees. Usually they're not aggressive, but I definately wouldn't hesitate to take more serious measures if the life of someone was in danger because of a hungry/angry bear.
Lovethenorth 7/14/2012 12:09:06 PM ReportSave your anger for the premier. MNR is in the process of being gutted. Local staff's hands are tied.
J & D 7/14/2012 12:14:10 PM Report Just because you see a bear doesn't make it dangerous. I have lived in much more secluded places than the Soo, I have seen bears out camping, on hikes, passing through my yard, etc...and have NEVER felt threatened - 9/10 times they run away or continue on with their business. The other 1/10 they don't leave is usually due to a stupid human response that provokes them. Keep your property clean of attractants and odds are an exploring or even hungry bear will not visit more than once - be responsible.
Lovethenorth 7/14/2012 12:16:16 PM Report20 yrs ago, the MNR had 5000 people working for it. Now its less than 3500. At least another 500 are going to go in the next 3 yrs. Have realistic expectations of what MNR is going to be able to do for you.
ashley-dawn 7/14/2012 12:28:16 PM Reportstupid statement that bears are useless....get a life! look it up!!!! also, the guy should not only be charged for firing a firearm in city limits but should also be charged by MNR for spoiling game meat and killing out of season!!!! they charge those who shoot deer/moose out of season and for spoiling game meat, what makes it any different for a bear? and also, what if a child ran in front of him right before he hit the trigger? This is dangerous and this person should be charged for sure! we are building and living in their habitat, we should expect to see bears and other wildlife....
Ilakebandit 7/14/2012 1:44:34 PM ReportIn response to DOMAR and "Im in" and many of the other horrible posts regarding this issue... I am disgusted. If you or anyone else have a problem with bears being in this city or for that matter, your backyard, go online or call the MNR in regards to ways you can avoid attracting bears: such as not keeping your garbage outside or putting it in a place out of their reach. Bears are more afraid of you then you are of them. Killing is not the answer, and the fact that the MNR no longer re-locates bears is absolutely digusting. To those who think bears are useless creatures or are that afraid of them... Carry bear spray or move to an area not so rural where the incidence of bears is obviously expected......... Some of us do care of this earth, its animals, and the ecosystem.
vmac 7/14/2012 2:55:04 PM ReportMost people are bearwise with regards to avoiding ways of attracting bears, unfortunatly however there are still alot of dopes who still do idiotic things thats for sure.
The bears that pass through properties are not the ones of issue, its the ones that have made human food their primary food source. Once they become this they never go back like dump bears once a dump bear always a dump bear. They become aggressive in defending their food source which is the case for almost all that are dispatched by police,mnr civillians. and yes unfortunately these are often the ones who got that way because of some moron. But what do you do, what scale do you use to weigh a bears life against that of a human.
Trapping and transferring of these bears is futile. When bears are trapped they are tagged. When they are transported they come right back again covering great distances or they end up in someone elses municipality doing the same thing. I know cause I did this for a number of years.I had bears travel in excess of 100 kms right back to the same area it was trapped in a matter of a couple of days. Or the next town calling saying we have one of your bears thanks for giving it to us. The success rate of transfer is not much better than zero. for a bear that has become nuisance. Thats the word given to these bears
Bears only primary cause or mortality is starvation diesease or in the odd case cannabalism, large adult males killing cubs. When we keep developing and encrouch on their territory we provide an abundant food source, scraps and dump food. Bears are scavengers first before predators that make no mistake. They are not like other predators. For example, when have you ever heard of someone saying they saw a pack of wolves at the dump today or even a lynx or marten or in someones yard. Bears that live next to municipalities dont starve, when they dont starve they produce and all the produced live and flourish. Where do they go into the towns because they become over populated.
For example if we didnt have moose or deer harvests to control the population you know how many more accidents and subsequent fatalities we would have. Moose and deer both fit into the bears category in that they flourish with human development. Just travel down I75 along the farmland sometimes right up against the cities there are hundreds of deer because they flourish in farmland.
Travel into algoma, when an area is logged, all the new growth (saplings) is a moose and deers primary food source. Ask a logger how many times they have had a skidder running and a moose or deer is feeding right next to them especially in winter.
We have altered their ecosystem in that we greatly exceed the success rate of survival which is at a rate much faster than what mother nature can counter balance.
Even Algonquin park has a controlled moose hunt. Spring 2007, 11 moose killed in 9 days on the HWY 60 corridor through the park which is only a 60 km stretch of road.
drypaint 7/14/2012 3:18:59 PM ReportWhat people don't seem to understand is,is that the bear population has EXPLODED, and is going to get worse if nothing is done now. I have seen 15 different bears this season so far and they scare the hell out of me and my family. The last one I saw was less then 20 feet away from me and he wouldn't leave until I wasted another bear banger. They are roaming out of their natural enviroment because the natural enviroment isn't feeding all of them. A bear going after your garbage bag in the P patch 10 yrs ago was unheard of.
Not to sure what has to be done, but if nothing is done soon, people are going to get mauled.
A.E.D. 7/14/2012 4:07:00 PM ReportMMM,cant wait for a moose to come on my property now thats ist official for everyone to kill any animal on thur property that deems to be a threat in any area of the city. DAM MOOSE CAME AT ME,i was scared for my family so i shot it.Now its wide open to use your fire arms in the city as no charges were filed for this offence.THANKS DEPUTY BARNEY "Davis" YYUUPP mounting my rifle on the deck with my scope today.Now that its legal.
I'm just sayin' 7/14/2012 5:57:52 PM Report@ A.E.D... You kill me! lol
Can I have a roast when that moose charges at you?
I'm just sayin' 7/14/2012 6:06:57 PM ReportDoes everyone know that bear meat is editable? lol, actually quite tasty!
Oreo cookie 7/14/2012 11:07:37 PM ReportI still think that the cops should give all the details to this case, to justify why no charges were pressed. This whole thing appears to have one big hidden agenda .... at the expense of an innocent animal!
Ilakebandit 7/15/2012 12:04:07 PM ReportI think everyone realizes this is a war that will never be won; between people who want this animal alive, and people who want it dead. But coming from a person who wants them alive; DONT CALL THE COPS IF YOU SEE A BEAR IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD GO INSIDE; and in regards to officials who think they can justify their actions by stating "we've brought them out 100km and they only come back,".....ya of course they will. They need to be taken to Lake Superior Provincial Park where they are free to roam on many of the lakes- where the people that visit there are comfortable with them around- or further up north.
Ilakebandit 7/15/2012 12:06:04 PM ReportThe only way this problem will be solved is when the people of sault ste marie wake up and stop leaving food outside where bears can get at it!
Prrrrrrr 7/16/2012 11:13:06 AM ReportA.E.D. ....you're funny...rotfl
I won't even walk my dog at night because we have had bears in the bushes, coyotes and foxes running down our street.
The situation is sad for any sort of wildlife that becomes part of a populated area. I am happy the property owner in this case was able to do what he had to do without being fined.
