Jake: Wildlife officials put down a bear cub near Index. Why?

Let me start with a disclaimer: I do not condone bear attacks on sweet little old ladies. Hear that, bears!

Over the weekend, you may have seen the news about an older woman attacked from behind by a black bear while outside her home. She fought it off, made it back inside, and called the police. She was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Reports suggested a mother and cub were in the area.

Then, just yesterday, a mother and cub were spotted behind a local business near Index, Washington, apparently snacking on discarded trash. Wildlife officials stepped in and put the mother down. They put down the cub, too.

My question: why the cub?

I understand that dangerous animals sometimes have to be euthanized, especially after attacking a human. You know my stance on animals attacking people: I’m against it. But that sweet little cub still had a long life ahead of him. Why couldn’t someone find a nature preserve or bear sanctuary, in-state or out, and give him a second chance?

Don’t tell me an orphaned bear cub wouldn’t have been the star attraction. Remember the old roadside parks where you could drive through and toss Wonder Bread out the window? I realize that’s not exactly in vogue these days, but surely it beats a lethal injection.

I can even see the case for putting down the mother, if she’d developed a taste for man-flesh. But this didn’t sound like a hunting attack. The woman survived, got herself away, and called for help. If that’s the threat, why not relocate the pair somewhere far from civilization?

At the very least, they should have tried to save the cub.

When I was a kid, they’d have made a Disney movie out of this. Now they just euthanize the poor little guy.

Very sad.

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