The unwarranted killing of the museum apple-eating black bear recently by two local officials was a disgrace. Our chief of police, currently under investigation for intentionally baiting, wounding and killing a brown bear last fall, once again demonstrates his disregard for the law.
The Defense of Life and Property law 5 AAC12 92.410 states“For a bear to be legally killed under this provision, the person must demonstrate that he or she did not ….. cause a problem by leaving food or garbage lying around. Prior to killing the bear, the person must take every practical, nonlethal means to protect life or property.” ….. By definition “(a person’s dwelling, means of travel, pets, or other valuable property necessary for livelihood or survival). “
The bear was not acting aggressively, nor threatening any human life or property. Yes, it was eating apples, hardly necessary for survival and sadly unprotected, and yes, it refused to come down when encouraged with rocks. This tree has dropped thousands of apples – which rotted – for decades. The officials on the scene chose to quickly dispatch this animal with only minimal efforts to deter it non-lethally.
In no way does this situation meet the requirements of the law.
What message do these actions send to Haines citizens? There are times when a defense kill is justified. This was not one of them. And, once again, the chief, representing law enforcement in Haines, was at the forefront.
Heidi Robichaud