HIGHLAND MILLS, NY – Residents of this small community are grappling with the discovery of a bear found dead and mutilated along Route 32. Two local women, who stumbled upon the grisly scene, are calling for justice and hoping authorities will swiftly find those responsible.
The bear, discovered Monday morning, was lying near an unmarked blue dump truck. Upon closer inspection, the women noticed it had been shot and its front paws had been severed. The shocking sight left them devastated and searching for answers.
Returning to the site an hour later, they found the bear still there, but the truck had vanished. This prompted them to alert the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The DEC’s law enforcement division responded and is currently investigating the case, though no connection to the truck has been confirmed.
The women, visibly shaken, expressed disbelief that anyone could commit such an act against an innocent animal. “It’s horrific,” one of them remarked, emphasizing the cruelty of the situation.
Adding to the outrage, bear hunting season in the area is not scheduled to begin until later in the fall, rendering this act illegal. For the community, the incident is not only a legal violation but an ethical one, leaving residents feeling both angry and vulnerable.
As the investigation continues, the DEC is urging anyone with information to come forward. The hope is that the community can find closure for this unsettling event.
In Highland Mills, the incident has sparked conversations about wildlife protection and the importance of maintaining respect for local fauna. The women who found the bear remain hopeful that justice will be served and that this incident will lead to increased awareness and vigilance.