captive bear cub impounded in PA

[Emily]

from the Pittsburg Tribune-Review
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 68370.html

Bear cub seized from Jefferson Hills home
By Laura Van Wert
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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An unusual pet discovered in Jefferson Hills has a new home.

The state Game Commission found a bear cub in a Gill Hall Road residence last week after receiving a tip that the owner was keeping it as a pet. The cub had been living there since March 28, said John Smith, regional law enforcement supervisor for the commission.

"This couldn't be released back into the wild," Smith said Monday. "Even if we could ... it would be coming up on people's back porches."

The cub, which is living in a private home, is either a brown bear from the western part of the country or a Pennsylvania black bear. It will not return to the Jefferson Hills house, Smith said.

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The commission got a warrant through District Judge Pat Capolupo on Thursday to search the house, and found the cub, Smith said. Capolupo's office confirmed that a search warrant was approved last week, but no prosecution has taken place.

The resident, whose name and address the Game Commission would not release, could face several charges, Smith said. Possession of exotic wildlife could cost him fines of $200 to $500 for each day the bear cub was in the residence. That's between $9,800 and $24,500 for 49 days.

The second charge, importing an animal into Pennsylvania without a permit, would only apply if the cub came from another state. The resident would be fined $75 to $200 for that charge.

"This exotic wildlife keeps showing up around Pittsburgh," Smith said. "We're always getting these kinds of calls."

Most of the exotic animals the Game Commission handles are large cats and wolf hybrids. The commission handles about one or two of these a month, Smith said.

This could be because residents want to keep the animals, which usually are cute and gentle as infants. But as the animals grow, their natural instincts kick in, and they begin to pose a threat to those around them, Smith said.

Still, Smith said, "a bear is kind of unique for someone to get a hold of one and hold onto it."