Animal rights advocates are calling for change after RCMP fatally shot a mother bear in Coquitlam.
Police were called on Saturday to the Westwood Plateau area when the bear, known to area residents as Betty, and her cubs entered a home through an unlocked front door.
The sow ended up in the backyard and video showed the bear charging toward an RCMP officer.
The Conservation Officer Service said the bear had a history of property damage and displayed no fear of humans, but others say her killing was unnecessary.
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“From what I’ve been told, I mean she’s been around for quite a few years and neighbours in the area that she’s lived really enjoyed her,” Ellie Lamb, a bear behaviour educator, said.
“It was very disturbing, and it will be a long time before this community will overcome this kind of trauma.”
The two cubs were found inside the home and taken to Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley for rehabilitation.
It is horrible to see we humans cannot live without destroying nature. We should be more respectful of rules and leave space for the beautiful creatures we share the world with
Unfortunately this happen more than people know. I work with provincial parks. The issue is always pigs. People don’t know how to behave around the animals and are stupid when it comes to leaving attractants out. They should have a mandatory fine of $5000 if your actions lead to a bear being destroyed.
Just a bear that no doubt has been fed and tolerated by some kindhearted animal love near by. Look. It was essentially teaching its young to break into houses and live off humans. It became a nuisance and then became a danger. 🤷♂️
There are no bears around if there is no food around so point your finger at those people.
Don’t worry, there only 250,000 more bears around BC. A new one will move in soon if that person keeps leaving food out.
Just orphaned two cubs, this could have been prevented with tranquilizer gun, very pathetic on the RMCP.
Maybe they can do the same for some prolific thieves who break into homes since some don’t fear humans or the consequences
Omg.. this is so sad. We live on Burke mountain and have seen her so many times in our backyard. We just saw her and the cubs couple days ago. I even recorded them playing. They never bothered us. I’m so heartbroken.
“From what I’ve been told”
Oh well, if that’s the case, what more proof do you need.
Pretty sure the neighbour who called the cops because didn’t say that.
I bet they are glad the bear is gone.
“It will be a long time before the community will overcome this kind of trauma”??!!
What a drama Queen. Give it few days.There will be a new bear in couple of weeks. Count on it.
Don’t blame the RCMP blame the who ever in neighbourhood is the kind hearted animal lover that is feeding it and then taking photos and posting them.
I called City of Coquitlam Bylaw department three times in the last three weeks to ask them to deal with residents in Westwood Plateau who bring their recycling bins out the day before garbage collection and they haven’t done anything. There are a lot more bears this year during last year. The lack of responsiveness from the City of Coquitlam Bylaw department is concerning.
…people have to realize that if the bear took a swipe at a child the outcome wouldn’t be good. Law enforcement made the right decision.
“It will be a long time before the community will overcome this kind of trauma”??!!
Who the hell are these people? 3 dangerous wild animals entered a home with residents inside and one charged at a human. Jeepers.
Judgment call or should animal control been called before confronting any animal. Back off and then do the right thing
We are after all supposed to be of higher intelligence.
I’m sure it could have been dealt with differently, however the police are there to protect the people in the community and aren’t necessarily trained optimally for dealing with animals (I’m sure they have some training). Not sure why conservation took so long to get there. Seems like for a high priority case they would have been there a lot sooner. Really sad that the mother was killed. So often it comes down to people being dumb. You have a resident bear, why in the blazes would you leave your door open?!
The solution is simple. Next problem bear drop off at the hippy dippy whiners about animal cruelty house and let them deal with it since they are all experts.
Beside a bear can feed a whack of homeless people.
The reporting on this story has some errors.
1. The cubs did not open the house door – the residents left their front door open and the mother bear and cubs entered and proceeded to tear apart the kitchen looking for food.
2. The mother bear when outside and beyond the fence gate where the officer was standing was separated from both her cubs who were still in the kitchen, tearing it up. The mother would have tried to get back into the house to get her cubs. The officer likely had to shoot both for himself and the household.
3. The homeowner mother and young child were trapped upstairs while the cubs were in the kitchen.
4. BC Conservation personnel did not arrive to take the cubs until more than an hour after the incident.
5. The cubs were temporarily stored in two RCMP SUV’s until they could be transferred to BC Conservation custody.
6. The story ended with information that bears who enter homes are not eligible for relocation – all 3 bears were in the house.
It is extremely unfortunate that the mother bear had to be stopped as she was, but the house residents provided the opportunity for the bears to enter the house.
So sad they feel the need to kill them 😞😞