Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the actions of police after a bear ended up in a shopping mall and was shot dead as it ran away.
A video released by MestoproTV showed the bear running amok in a mall located in Khabarovsk. The animal was able to get back outside through the doors, but after it was out of the mall officers gave chase and fatally shot it.
BBC noted that there was immediate backlash after the video was shown and the public demanded answers as to why the fleeing bear was shot. In response, a probe into the incident is now underway by Russia’s Investigative Committee. So far the committee has said that it was shot to avoid becoming a danger to the residents in the area.
"Without waiting for the veterinary service to arrive, the bear was killed in order to avoid any attacks against local residents," the Investigative Committee said.
The bear shot was believed to be between 2 and 3 years old, which is about the age of a teen in bear years.
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