BearWild

By Nick Liard

Greater Sudbury Police want a policy in place for handling bears since over 200-hours of service has been dedicated to deal with the problem animals this year alone.

They’ve had over 1,300 calls for this type of service this year –more than double from last year.

In 449 of those calls police responded to the scene, and had to put down eight bears.

This amounts to 200-officer hours and at least eight grand in salaries.

Greater Sudbury Police Board Chair, Gerry Lougheed Junior, is adamant: change needs to happen.

Police, the city and the Ministry of Natural Resources formed a committee to find a solution, but Lougheed says they need a policy to lobby for change.

He wants a preliminary report in 60-days, and a policy in place by the end of the year so they can seek funding from the provincial budget next year.

Police and city reps will have a closed-door meeting today with Sudbury M-P-P Glenn Thibeault to establish a course of action.