Vermont Fish and Wildlife officials are investigating after a black bear was found shot and left at a boat launch on the Connecticut River in Newbury.
Lt. Mike Scott, Northeast District Chief Warden, said the mother bear was discovered Monday morning, July 13, in the mud near the Newbury-Haverhill Boat Launch. A necropsy confirmed the bear died from a single gunshot wound, Scott said.
Police are still determining whether the bear was killed in Vermont or New Hampshire. Scott noted that while property owners may legally kill a bear under certain circumstances, they must contact a game warden immediately and attempt non-lethal measures first.
“Our fear is that this bear was killed by someone defending their property,” Scott said. “There are legal avenues … but there are requirements.” He added that a criminal charge could be filed.
Anyone with information is asked to call St. Johnsbury Dispatch at 802-748-3111.
Originally reported by WPTZ NBC5.
Photo: Shravankumar Hiregoudar via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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