Bear spotted in Lumsden euthanized after risk to public safety: Sask. RCMP
CTV
A young bear that had made its way into Lumsden, Sask. was killed by Saskatchewan RCMP officers after unsuccessful efforts to trap it.
A young bear that had made its way into Lumsden, Sask. was killed by Saskatchewan RCMP officers after unsuccessful efforts to trap it.
The bear wandered through town on Wednesday and Thursday, with several people taking to social media to document its existence.
However, the unique encounter took a sudden turn as attempts to capture and relocate the curious cub failed after conservation offices set up a bear trap on Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday evening, Lumsden RCMP received a report that the bear was in a tree in a highly populated part of town. An email from Sask. RCMP said their officers were in contact with conservation officers throughout the day, but RCMP officers made the decision to put down the bear.
“After assessing the situation and determining an imminent risk to public safety existed, officers euthanized the bear,” the email read.
Numerous people protested the killing of the bear on social media, with many outraged by the situation.
A response from the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety said in situations like these, responding officers assess each situation on a case-by-case basis to figure out the best approach, with the safety of the public as the top priority.
