TORONTO – In the aftermath of the recent Toronto bear shooting, animal law organization Animal Justice and hockey commentator Don Cherry are offering to purchase a tranquilizing gun and related equipment for the Toronto Police.

The police shot a black bear in a backyard in Scarborough over the weekend, stating that they do not have tranquilizing equipment. Meanwhile, wildlife officials with the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry refused to assist, citing safety risk to their officers.

Mr. Cherry, through his Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation, has pledged $1000 to support Animal Justice in purchasing a dart gun to ensure the police are able to tranquilize any wild animal and return the animal to the wild.

Animal Justice has set up a crowdfunding page to raise the remaining funds required, estimated to be several thousand dollars for a gun and kit.

“Society has an obligation to treat animals with respect. It’s clear from the public outcry over the bear shooting that we need humane wildlife removal mechanisms,” said lawyer Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. “By helping the Toronto Police get the equipment they need to deal with wildlife situations, we hope to ensure this tragedy does not repeat itself in the future.”

Mr. Cherry appeared on Coach’s Corner last night wearing black, lamenting the death of the innocent bear and calling for change to ensure police are not placed in a similar position in the future.

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Animal Justice’s crowdfunding page can be found here.

For more information, contact:

Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
camille@animaljustice.ca

Animal Justice