State officials say they are looking for someone who shot and killed a 550-pound black bear that was found dead near a rural Pennsylvania road.
The Times Tribune reports Pennsylvania Game Commission officials started an investigation Wednesday after someone reported seeing the bloodied bear along Branning Road in Berlin Township, Wayne County, Pa. Wildlife conservation Officer Jim McCarthy says they don't have a suspect, but are pursuing leads.
Authorities believe the bear was killed Tuesday. McCarthy says there's no indication the bear was hit by a vehicle and killed out of mercy. He wouldn't say if any parts of the bear had been removed.
The paper reported that residents in the area have recently had issues with bears getting into garbage and that an angry resident possibly pulled the trigger.
McCarthy said police are considering the scenario.
"We would really like to talk to the person who did it to find out why they did it," McCarty told the paper.
Fatally shooting a bear out of season carries penalties of up to 120 days and jail and a $6,500 fine. Bear season traditionally is in the late fall and last year hunters were only allowed to kill one bear each, according to the state game commission.
