(ANIMAL NEWS) CANADA — A black bear came across the deceased body of convicted murderer Rory Wagner last week, who served time in jail for his crime and was living on life parole. Wagner died in his car along a logging road when the bear later found the body and ate the remains. Although the bear did not kill the man, police tracked the innocent animal down and euthanized him, claiming the animal could pose a threat to others. While Wagner served a short prison sentence for killing a man, this wild, black bear received the death sentence for scavenging for food. Unfair? Read on for more details on the story and tell us what you think. — Global Animal
Huffington Post, Jeremy Hainsworth
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian conservation officers have euthanized a black bear that ate the remains of a convicted murderer.
British Columbia Environment Minister Terry Lake said Monday the bear’s description matched that of one seen guarding a cache that contained the remains of Rory Wagner, 54. Examinations of fur at the scene as well as teeth and claw marks confirmed the bear that was euthanized is the one that ate the remains.
Lake said the animal was put down because bears remember food sources.
Officials suspect the bear pulled Wagner’s body from his car after he died on a remote logging road.
Wagner pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 1994. He and two others were charged with a killing a man who they believed had sexually assaulted a family member. He served his prison time and was released.
Wagner, who was living in Kamloops, British Columbia, was reported missing May 23. Police said his death was not suspicious. Hunters found the site last week.
Regional coroner Mark Coleman said it is not yet known how Wagner died. Coleman said an autopsy showed the man was dead before the bear got him out of the car. Coleman said toxicology results to reveal how Wagner died would not be complete for several weeks.
Royal Canadian Mounted Poilce Sgt. Grant Learned said Wagner was on life parole and had been living in an approved facility in the city. He said Wagner had attended work May 21 and said he wouldn’t be coming in to work in the following days.
When he failed to show up at his residence May 22, a warrant was issued for his arrest. His body was found shortly after.
“The degree of decomposition would suggest the body had been removed (from the car) after death,” Learned said.
More Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/05/bear-ate-murderer-rory-nelson-wagner-euthanized_n_1570441.html
stupid dumb ass humans, any excuse to kill an innocent animal
What foul language! How can offensive words help you? Further, I note that you marked a “thumbs down” on all of the comments before you. I have therefore attempted to counteract that negativity by giving a thumbs up to all of them, and a “thumbs down” to you.
Why did you bother to visit this site, where people are dedicated to protecting animals? I agree with all the comments before you.
Once again Man has made the wrong judgement. Nothing wrong that this bear eating a dead carcass. Hope that this matter is taken further. This idiots misjudgement has once again cost our wildlife.
It makes me furious that this bear was destroyed over this ridiculous issue. Eating a carcass – animal or human – is a natural process for a bear.More…
The bear didn’t kill the guy he only ate his remains. Why is a convicted murderer more important than the bear
Gee….the bear could eat other decomposing people after that. All living people who do not stink like a decomposing body should be very scared. Obviously these folks were not using their full brain capacity to put this idea in their heads.More…
I can’t believe the bear was put to death. He didn’t even kill anyone! It truly is upsetting how people treat wildlife.More…
Police could have def taken other precautions! It’s not like the poor animal attacked him and ate him, he just ate his remains. I guess the murderer’s body is more important than a life of this beautiful creature.More…