All witnesses of this recent bear cub shooting should fill out this complaint form.​  Please also report this cruelty to the BCSPCA.

On October 19, 2026, Cassie, a bear cub, was shot and killed by RCMP in Castlegar. This bear did not harm anyone.  Bear cub shot and killed by RCMP officer in downtown Castlegar. 

Really sad and sickening news from Castlegar. A bear cub was shot and killed by police in front of children and other witnesses, leaving people horrified. According to a witness, the cub was shot and was gasping for air when the officer returned and shot again. The cub was shot four times!

The cub was reportedly orphaned after its mother was previously killed by Conservation Officers. We need to do better in 2026. Our understanding of wildlife and how we treat animals must evolve. We need compassion, better solutions, and a different approach to sharing our landscape with wildlife.  The bear cub, Cassie, was peacefully eating fruit fallen from trees when they were shot four times. Conservation Officers suggested the police shoot the bear, but the police could have chosen not to.​  According to the official statement, this was about “public safety”.​  A baby bear running up to people and police cars is about as dangerous as a baby donkey.

I’m saddened and sickened by the events that played out here.  Often, when people report about bears, the rhetoric is amplified and a simple movement by even a cub, can be made out to be a full on attack. In this case, it seems a kid told their parent that a bear cub tried to attack him.  Parent called the police and COS, RCMP eventually shot this little cub (that was apparently made an orphan by the killing of their mom by COS), 4 TIMES over a period of time with a shotgun (not appropriate), and it lay bleeding and gasping for air. Those that witnessed this are traumatized. Why are we still doing this?  This is not 1940, we must evolve.  Science and public sentiment about how animals are treated demands it.

Here are quotes from eyewitnesses.

"Still in shock after witnessing a bear cub being shot 4 times and killed on 5th avenue downtown adjacent the dog park. Does anyone know the circumstances behind this situation? 😔.". "This happened in my back yard and I am honestly quite traumatized by it. Apparently they charged at some kids up by the schools. I walked outside cause I was hearing some noises and I saw this poor bear with a big wound gasping for air. I then saw the cop walk into my yard, looked at me and shot the bear again. Mind you, with a shotgun (I could be wrong but that seems extremely cruel, especially considering they didn’t die on the first shot). I’m very grateful for the female cop who offered an apology and victim services but the male cop was a bit of a hot head. I’m curious as to why we couldn’t just relocate the bear. Needless to say I am traumatized.". "The cop was like 7 feet away from me when shooting the bear for a final time. It was horrific. I really wish I had some warning as to what was going on in my yard rather than walking out there and seeing an image I can’t get out of my head. I barely slept last night." "It was actually a pretty small bear, maybe not a cub but it was small. Yes nobody wants kids to get attacked but we’re also allowed to have emotions about the bear. The cop failed to do it in a humane matter- I saw the poor bear gasping for air.. so yeah poor bear. No creature deserves to suffer like that.". "There were no COs there. Only the one RCMP officer who shot the cub four times, put a tarp over it and dragged it into a truck and hauled it away.". "Maybe stop calling the police and trigger happy COs when we see a thirty pound bear wandering around. It's about as dangerous as a lhasa apso but y'all have been trained by the media and the authorities to freak out."

The cub was allegedly shot four times in front of children.  None of the children were injured.  The bear was probably bluff charging.  And was a small orphaned cub.  Cassie, the cub being murdered was similar to the police donkey shooting in the USA.

I've always felt deeply connected to the wild beauty of British Columbia. Our lush forests and diverse wildlife play an essential role in the identity of this province. But my love for this land turned into heartbreak following a recent event.  

A bear in Castlegar bit someone in September and was consequently captured and killed.  She may have been the mother of this cub.  While the safety of humans is paramount, killing these majestic creatures shouldn't be the knee-jerk reaction. Bears are integral to our environment, and their presence is a testament to the rich biodiversity that BC is famous for.

We must find a more humane solution—one that ensures human safety while preserving our wildlife. Relocation, increased public education on wildlife safety, installing bear-proof waste containers, and investing in non-lethal deterrence methods are viable options that have worked elsewhere. Many experts advocate for coexistence strategies, emphasizing that education and prevention can significantly reduce bear-human conflicts.

According to conservationists, bears are not invading our spaces—we are expanding into theirs. The impact of human activities is pushing them closer to urban areas. It's our responsibility to manage these interactions with respect and understanding. We should follow the lead of places like Alberta and the Rocky Mountain National Park, where non-lethal responses have shown promising results.

British Columbians, we need to urge our government to adopt these evidence-based methods to manage bear populations peacefully. Let's hold our leaders accountable to protect both the public and our precious wildlife.

Sign this petition to call for a change of protocol in handling bear-human conflicts in BC. Support a future where humans and bears coexist peacefully.