Investigation centers on Juneau bear killed by bow

JUNEAU (AP) -- Officials are investigating the death of a black bear killed by an arrow in a trailer park where bear complaints had been on the rise.

The 3-year-old female bear weighing about 220 pounds was found dead early Thursday in a yard in the Lemon Creek area of Juneau. It had been spotted Wednesday night digging in trash, said Pat Costello, a member of the city's Urban Bear Committee.

The person who shot the bear could face criminal charges of wanton waste or taking a bear out of season, said Sgt. Steve Bear, with the Alaska State Troopers.

''Due to the cause of death, I doubt it was taken in defense of life or property,'' Bear said, adding that it is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by $5,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

With ready access to garbage and fish-filled streams, bear activity in the area has picked up in recent weeks.

Officials with Fish and Game relocated a trapped bear on Tuesday and police have increased patrols after reports of children chasing bears.