Post by Cyberman on Nov 3, 2011 6:50:40 GMT -5
November 3, 2011
Bear shot on Lee Street
VALDOSTA — A black bear killed within city limits Tuesday night is just one of the most recent wildlife sightings in the area.
Valdosta police responded to a 911 call at approximately 10:30 p.m. in reference to a large black bear camping out in a tree, Valdosta Police Capt. Bobbi McGraw said.
On the 500 block of South Lee Street, just behind the American Legion, a male bear, weighing between 225-250 pounds, climbed up the tree of a vacant residence and remained for an unknown period of time, McGraw said. A concerned citizen spotted the animal and called 911.
Valdosta police officers responded and secured the area in an attempt to detain the animal until the game warden could arrive.
Once a crowd started gathering around the scene, the bear began to descend from the tree, David Allen, state Department of Natural Resources communication and outreach specialist, told The Times.
Out of concern for public safety, a police officer shot the bear, Allen said. When the DNR law-enforcement officers arrived to assist, the bear was already dead. DNR officers took the bear into their possession to ensure it didn’t end up in the wrong hands, the public relations specialist said.
“The situation was handled appropriately,” he said. “There is no issue between the Valdosta law enforcement and the Department of Natural Resources. They did what was best for the public.”
McGraw also said the bear could have posed a tremendous threat for the citizens as well as the responding officers.
If anyone sees a wild animal, please contact 911 and do not try to capture or confront the animal. The 911 emergency service will send out local law-enforcement officers and will contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
This is the latest report of a large wild animal being spotted recently in or near the city limits.
On Thursday, Oct. 27, reports of a 30-pound wild hog were received by both the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Valdosta Police Department. The hog was cornered twice but was able to get away, according to a report provided by the police department.
Valdosta Police Cmdr. Eugene Bell said he was told the animal was seen in the area of St. Augustine Road. Resident Terry Griffin told a news source that he was feeding his dog when he turned around and saw the black hog.
valdostadailytimes.com/local/x2039718814/Bear-shot-on-Lee-Street
Bear shot on Lee Street
VALDOSTA — A black bear killed within city limits Tuesday night is just one of the most recent wildlife sightings in the area.
Valdosta police responded to a 911 call at approximately 10:30 p.m. in reference to a large black bear camping out in a tree, Valdosta Police Capt. Bobbi McGraw said.
On the 500 block of South Lee Street, just behind the American Legion, a male bear, weighing between 225-250 pounds, climbed up the tree of a vacant residence and remained for an unknown period of time, McGraw said. A concerned citizen spotted the animal and called 911.
Valdosta police officers responded and secured the area in an attempt to detain the animal until the game warden could arrive.
Once a crowd started gathering around the scene, the bear began to descend from the tree, David Allen, state Department of Natural Resources communication and outreach specialist, told The Times.
Out of concern for public safety, a police officer shot the bear, Allen said. When the DNR law-enforcement officers arrived to assist, the bear was already dead. DNR officers took the bear into their possession to ensure it didn’t end up in the wrong hands, the public relations specialist said.
“The situation was handled appropriately,” he said. “There is no issue between the Valdosta law enforcement and the Department of Natural Resources. They did what was best for the public.”
McGraw also said the bear could have posed a tremendous threat for the citizens as well as the responding officers.
If anyone sees a wild animal, please contact 911 and do not try to capture or confront the animal. The 911 emergency service will send out local law-enforcement officers and will contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
This is the latest report of a large wild animal being spotted recently in or near the city limits.
On Thursday, Oct. 27, reports of a 30-pound wild hog were received by both the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Valdosta Police Department. The hog was cornered twice but was able to get away, according to a report provided by the police department.
Valdosta Police Cmdr. Eugene Bell said he was told the animal was seen in the area of St. Augustine Road. Resident Terry Griffin told a news source that he was feeding his dog when he turned around and saw the black hog.
valdostadailytimes.com/local/x2039718814/Bear-shot-on-Lee-Street