Editor:
I refer to Kay Titford’s letter to the editor of Sept. 24 and agree that what is being done to innocent bears in this community is certainly unjust.
It is appalling that people leave fruit on the ground and in the trees in their yards with no regard for the innocent animals that it most certainly will attract.
It is time we took a page from the book of Whistler and other communities that respect their bears and make these people responsible for what they have done.
They should face huge fines and even jail time for repeat offences of this nature.
The money could be spent relocating animals rather than shooting them on site.
Yes, I have heard all the arguments that relocating doesn’t work but I am sure it does work sometimes and that fact alone is worth the effort.
I refer to the bear sleeping in a backyard in Port Coquitlam. He wasn’t shot on site.
He was frightened away and so far has not returned.
I am equally appalled that Ms. Titford was told to get inside or she could be arrested for obstruction of justice. I am afraid the officers would have had to make good on their threat if they were going to shoot two frightened bear cubs in my backyard.
And why were they frightened? They had just witnessed their mother being shot by these same officers.
Had that mother bear attacked someone? Not that I have heard.
She was just trying to feed her cubs before they went into hibernation.
What gives anyone the right to decide that it is OK to gun down these beautiful animals rather than look for other options to undo the wrong that has been done to them because people just don’t care.
I am sure that shooting on site is the easiest and least costly option but that does not make it right. Our wildlife deserves better.
Heather Philpotts
Williams Lake