Warning: This story contains disturbing details involving alleged animal cruelty that some readers may find upsetting.
Animal Justice is asking the B.C. SPCA to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a grizzly bear killed by conservation officers near Nelson last month.
The group filed a complaint with the B.C. SPCA on Aug. 28 after receiving an eyewitness account that raised concerns about the bear’s condition following the shooting by conservation officers.
Animal Justice senior staff lawyer Alexandra Pester said the organization spoke with a witness who recalled seeing a grizzly on the side of Ymir Road around the time the sow, known locally as Nell, was killed.
Pester said the witness observed the bear for about five minutes and reported that she appeared to be alive but dying, with her head raised and a significant amount of blood on her body.
“He was really concerned that this bear was shot and just left to suffer following the shooting,” Pester said.
She said Animal Justice wants the B.C. SPCA to investigate the circumstances surrounding Nell’s shooting and subsequent death.
“We explained to the B.C. SPCA that even if there’s lawful authority to kill an animal, it still has to be done in a manner that complies with the law,” Pester said.
Pester said Animal Justice learned through a previous interview with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) that Nell’s death was not instantaneous and that the first shot did not kill her.
“The British Columbia Conservation Officer Service has confirmed that Nell’s death was not instantaneous and occurred, according to them, sort of over the course of minutes, and that the first shot did not kill her,” Pester said.
“So we’re really concerned that Nell was left to suffer potentially for several minutes.”
Vista Radio asked the Ministry of Environment and Parks to confirm those details, but they were not addressed in its response.
Ministry officials also said it’s aware of the complaint and understands the concerns that have been raised.
It said conservation officers responded to the Aug. 14 incident according to their training, established policies and procedures and provincial human-wildlife conflict response guidelines.
The ministry said those guidelines include guidance on the humane dispatch of wildlife from the Canadian Council on Animal Care.
“Wildlife incidents can be dynamic and may present significant risks to the public, responding officers and others at the scene,” said the ministry in a statement to Vista Radio.
“Conservation officers must continually assess the circumstances, surrounding environment, and available options, to ensure their response is carried out as safely and effectively as possible.”
It added that the BCCOS has full confidence that the actions of the officers at the scene reflected their training and expertise.
The complaint, obtained by Vista Radio, cites a section of the Criminal Code that prohibits wilfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal.
“The criminal code in Canada prohibits causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals and that includes when they’re dying,” Pester said. “The courts have made clear that you can’t cause the death of an animal in a way that causes them unnecessary or sort of disproportionate pain and suffering.”
Animal Justice has not received confirmation from the B.C. SPCA about whether it will investigate the complaint.
Nell was killed by conservation officers on Aug. 14 after provincial officials determined she had become food-conditioned and had lost fear of people. A male yearling associated with her was dispatched the day before.
Two of her yearlings were relocated from the Nelson area, but one was later killed near Christina Lake after entering a built-up area and accessing non-natural food sources.
Pester said Animal Justice is seeking better ways to manage conflicts between people and grizzly bears.
“Grizzlies are part of our community here in Western Canada,” Pester said. “I think the government really needs to find better ways to coexist with these animals and manage our relationships with them in ways that are not deadly to them and don’t cause them suffering.”
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