Dead bear found in plastic bag in Arlington, authorities say

It is unclear how or why a dead bear ended up in the bag near a hiking trail in the area of ​​Spout Run Parkway near North Adams Street.

Arlington police were called to the 2100 block of 21st Road N. at 5:23 p.m. Friday, police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said. ARLnow.com reported that a Nextdoor user posted about the dead animal on the platform before authorities were called.

Arlington police initially thought the dead animal was a dog, Jones said, adding, “There was significant decomposition.” At about 8:30 p.m., Deputy Chief Karina Swetnam of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington arrived and determined the suspected dog was an adult black bear.

A black bear may only be killed if it is attempting to injure a human or has already done so – and the killing must be reported immediately to a state conservation officer, according to Virginia law. Anyone who kills a bear outside of these limits can face up to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500, and be banned from hunting, trapping or fishing in Virginia for up to five years.

“Even if it was just a report of a dead bear, that in and of itself would have been unusual. The additional information that it was in a large plastic bag is what is really unusual,” Jones said.

Jones usually hears of young black bears being spotted in the area, such as the bear spotted traveling from North to South Arlington in May. without causing any damage to property or people. She could not say whether the bear found on Friday was the same one.

Jones said the Animal Welfare League of Arlington is investigating the find with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact them at 703-931-9241 or by email at [email protected].

“We’re hoping that maybe someone in the community saw something that could help us figure out what happened,” Jones said.