Police Issue Warning: Don’t Chase Bears

Police are clear with their warning. Don't drunkenly chase bears with a hatchet. The North Adams (MA) Police Dept. decided to make light of a bizarre incident where a highly intoxicated man allegedly chased a bear while holding a blunt-edged axe. The Department decided to relay their light-hearted message on Facebook

The unidentified man from Western Massachusetts was taken into custody for his own protection due to his level of intoxication. The case was certainly unusual as North Adams police Sergeant James Burdick said the hatchet wielding bear chaser was a first for him.

I’ve been on this job for 33 years and I’ve dealt with a lot of bears, but I have never had anyone chase one into the woods with a hatchet before.

As of the now the drunken man has not been charged though North Adams officials are discussing the possibility with the state environmental police. Burdick said that while the Facebook post was meant to be semi humorous, the message itself is very serious. The Boston Globe reports that officers have handed out leaflets with tips to avoid encounters with the bears.