Sault Police Chief Robert Davies is again pushing for a bear cull at the municipal dump.
On June 28, the Chief met with representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources, who agreed to seek provincial funding for a public education campaign as well as more bear traps, staff and training to relocate nuisance bears from the City.
Concerned that the needed funding has not yet been approved, Davies has now written to Natural Resources Minister Jerry Oullette, asking for an immediate exemption from a section of the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act that prevents him from culling bears at the dump.
'I cannot wait any longer'
"As Chief of Police I am duty bound by law to ensure the safety of the public," Chief Davies writes. "I cannot wait any longer and must take the necessary action to reduce the number of bears in the City."
"On July 3, 2002 several incidents of bear sightings were reported to our police service. Two sightings in particular concern me the most. The first incident involved a young boy delivering papers to a residence when he came across a black bear in the driveway of the home. Fortunately, the bear did not pursue the boy who was obviously startled, frightened and immediately ran to his home. Several youths playing in the area also fled after witnessing the bear."
"The second incident involved a bear climbing through a porch window to gain access to a family dwelling. Again, it was fortunate that no one was at home as the outcome was limited to only property damage."
'We do not have time for a public education campaign'
"As you can see from the above-noted incidents, we do not have time for a public education campaign."
"The cull is absolutely necessary to reduce the number of bears in our community and the threat of an imminent bear attack on a human."
"Unless the Ministry directs your conservation officers to resume the removal of bears from the City, I am left with no option other than to order a controlled bear shoot at the City garbage disposal site, preferably with exemption of the restrictions set out under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act," the chief wrote.
At a meeting of Sault Ste. Marie City Council last night, councillors voted to also ask the MNR to either resume responsibility for nuisance bears, or to allow the City to do the job.
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