Dead bear found shot and mutilated on Route 32 raises alarm in Highland Mills

A bear carcass discovered along Route 32 in Highland Mills on December 21 has prompted an active investigation after residents reported the animal appeared to have been shot and mutilated. Highland Mills residents Eileen Novick and Susan Garcia said they first noticed a blue dump style truck with no markings pulled off to the side of the road around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and a bear lying nearby. When they returned about an hour later, the truck was gone and the bear remained.

Garcia described the scene and the injuries. She said the bear "had a gunshot wound and both his front paws were cut off, like someone intentionally cut his paws off." The women noted there was some blood at the scene but not enough to explain how the animal ended up on the roadside, and they said they believe the bear may have been dumped there. "The whole thing is just crazy and very sad," one resident said.

Local officials have been notified. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation launched an investigation into the discovery and the circumstances surrounding the animal's death. The DEC typically investigates wildlife killings and works with local law enforcement when animal cruelty or illegal discharge of a firearm is suspected, but the agency has not released further details about any leads or potential charges as the inquiry remains ongoing.

For Highland Mills and neighboring Orange County communities the incident touches on two immediate concerns. First, residents are grappling with the prospect of deliberate animal cruelty in a semi residential area where wildlife encounters are not uncommon. Second, the presence of an apparently shot animal raises questions about firearm use and safe disposal of wildlife carcasses near public roads.

Authorities have asked anyone with information about a blue dump style truck or suspicious activity along Route 32 on the morning of December 21 to come forward to investigators. The DEC investigation will determine whether criminal charges are warranted and whether additional public safety measures are needed as the probe continues.