10/29/2025
A good reminder - if you are having a conflict with wildlife, there is help available. Don't take it into your own hands.
On September 11, after a tip from Lynchburg Animal Control, Virginia Conservation Police investigated the illegal killing of a bear inside Lynchburg City. CPO Josh Tetro reviewed the city report, contacted the suspect, and met him at his residence. The man claimed the bear was a nuisance around his chicken coops, showed prior damage to the coop, and claimed several chickens had been killed over time. Through his investigation, CPO Tetro discovered that the suspect and his wife went outside after their dogs barked and saw a bear already up a tree near the coop. The suspect, carrying a .45-caliber handgun, fired two shots at the bear. As the bear started down the tree, he fired again and the bear fell. He then fired two more shots, killing it. The bear had not entered the coop and there was no damage, nor had he contacted Lynchburg Police Department or DWR about bear issues in the past.
CPO Tetro explained that the suspect had no legal reason to shoot the bear and simply claiming it was a “nuisance” is not a legal defense. CPO Tetro obtained a charge for killing a bear during closed season and issued multiple warnings, including discharging a firearm within city limits.
Violations: Taking a bear during closed season; hunting in a manner not permitted by law; discharging a firearm within city limits; killing a bear illegally.
🚨 This is a reminder: If you are experiencing a conflict with wildlife, the first step is to report the issue to the Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 1-855-571-9003. Guidance and resources will be linked in the comments.
Thank you to everyone involved! 💚
Field Ops: CPO Josh Tetro
Supervisor: Sergeant Cory Harbour
Mutual Aid: Lynchburg Animal Control
