Poll: Should The State Have Protected 'Pedals' The Bear?

The state's already-controversial extended bear hunt became much more so last week after "Pedals," the upright-walking bruin, was reportedly killed by a b0w-and-arrow hunter.

The bear's alleged killing brought on a flurry of angry social media posts, both for, but mostly, against, the bear's killing and the hunter who released the fatal arrow. Many of the posts were initially posted on and directed at a Facebook page dedicated to the bear. The page was the first to report "Pedals'" reported death after the animal's carcass was brought to the Green Pond check station in Rockaway.

More than 560 bears were killed during the state's extended last week, the first in more than 40 decades that permitted the use of bows and arrows.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife released photos allegedly showing a 333-pound bear with two injured front paws. The bear is missing part of his front, right leg, and his left paw is injured — injuries that "Pedals" also had, according to video footage.

Many people called for the state to protect "Pedals" while the bear was still alive, but the bear could not be located and was not captured or tagged.

Should The State Have Protected Pedals The Bear? Vote in the poll below.

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