A young black bear was shot and killed Tuesday by sheriff's deputies in Newfolden, Minn., after it was seen near a day care and refused to leave town, authorities said Friday.
Marshall County Sheriff John Novacek said it was a tagged bear that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources "had contact with."
"It wandered into town and wouldn't leave town," Novacek said. "Three of the deputies were trying to get it to leave."
Novacek said the bear had been tagged and released by the DNR near Thief Lake, about 20 miles from Newfolden.
"It probably just wandered into town," he said.
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The bear was spotted near a Newfolden day care and deputies got it to move to the edge of town. Novacek was unsure which day care it was seen at.
"And it would not leave," he said. "It wanted to get back into town."
When a deputy came within 20 yards, the bear became "kind of aggressive" and the animal was put down.
"I think it was used to digging through people's garbages," Novacek said. "It wasn't really afraid of humans. They had to destroy it."
The bear was turned over to the DNR, and they disposed of it, Novacek said.
Reach Johnson at (701) 780-1105; (800) 477-6572, ext. 105; or send e-mail to rjohnson@gfherald.com .
