3 days ago
Police put down young bear struck by car on Hwy. 7
Ontario Provincial Police officers put down a bear who was struck by a vehicle on Hwy. 7 on Tuesday. (OPP/X)
Ontario Provincial Police say a bear had to be put down after it was seriously injured by a vehicle on Highway 7.
Police say officers responded to reports that a bear had been struck on the highway near Hazeldean Road at around noon on Tuesday.
Officers found the youngling in the centre median with visible injuries to its hind legs, police say. The driver did not remain at the scene.
Bylaw Services, the National Capital Commission and the Ministry of Natural Resources were contacted to see if they could capture or rehabilitate the bear, but no services were available, according to police.
'The bear's condition worsened, causing it to suffer. A decision to dispatch an animal by the OPP is always made on the basis of whether it is potentially dangerous or suffering,' OPP said in a news release.
'Officers were forced to make the tough decision to put the bear out of its misery.'
OPP are reminding drivers to always report vehicle strikes with animals to police in the event there is an ability to save them.
