WHITE PLAINS, NY (June 15, 2025) — The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office has opened an inquiry into the fatal shooting of a black bear by Harrison police on June 2, raising questions about the department’s handling of the incident. The bear was shot and killed after wandering into residential areas, a decision that has sparked widespread public backlash and highlighted perceived shortcomings in the police department’s response.
According to a statement from the Harrison Police Department, the bear was first spotted at approximately 2:45 p.m. at the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Madison Street. After retreating into a wooded area, it later reappeared in a densely populated area between backyards on Columbus Avenue, where homes are mostly smaller-sized two-family lots with retaining walls. Citing the bear’s mobility and presence in front yards, police made the “difficult decision” to “humanely euthanize” it in the interest of public safety. The bear was shot, reportedly from a tree, and fell into a backyard, where it remained until removed by a contracted animal removal service.
The Harrison Police Department claimed it was unable to obtain tranquilization or trapping resources from the New York State Environmental Conservation Police (DEC), Westchester County, or private sources.
However, a DEC statement immediately after the shooting, first obtained by Talk of the Sound, clarified that its officers, who were present during the incident, determined the bear posed no immediate threat and had access to escape routes, advising police to let it leave on its own. In a new
The DEC further noted on Friday, in an exclusive statement to Talk of the Sound, that, due to federal Drug Enforcement Agency and New York State Department of Health protocols, it cannot loan chemical immobilization equipment to other agencies, countering Harrison PD’s complaint.
Adding to the controversy, the Harrison Police Department initially posted a statement on social media about the incident, which has since been removed from Facebook and Instagram. The department also failed to follow up with Jim Horton, a wildlife expert who told News 12 he was contacted by police and offered to arrive with a tranquilizer gun within 10 minutes. Horton released a recording of the conversation, expressing frustration that his assistance was not utilized.
Public outrage has been significant, with comments on social media labeling the killing “NOT OK!” and noting children in the neighborhood heard the incident. Cottontail Cottage Wildlife Rehab, a Westchester-based animal rescue service, called the event “tragic” and “preventable” in a Facebook post.
The DEC has emphasized public education to reduce human-bear conflicts, advocating for the Six at-Home BearWise Basics, including securing food and removing attractants.
When contacted the day of the incident by Talk of the Sound, a woman at the police chief’s office directed a reporter to check the department’s social media pages, showing little willingness to engage.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s inquiry into the Harrison Police Department’s actions highlights ongoing scrutiny of the agency, which has a history of controversy, including the conviction of former Chief Anthony Marraccini. Between 2011 and 2016, Marraccini failed to report over $902,000 in federal and state income taxes from his construction business, Coastal Construction Associates LLC, and rental properties, leading to his guilty plea in January 2019 before U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas. He was sentenced on May 16, 2019, to 18 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $25,000 fine, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney James McMahon, prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman noted the conviction as a breach of public trust, underscoring accountability.
Earlier, in 2007, Marraccini was named in a federal lawsuit with then-Chief David Hall, where four officers alleged illegal surveillance via a camera in a changing area, citing a culture of favoritism and intimidation.
Harrison PD has pledged to explore cross-training officers in tranquilization and trapping and to follow up with the DEC.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
Hi Robert – sorry for the delay. Here’s our response:
On Background:
DEC’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Bureau of Wildlife are trained and equipped to respond to human-bear conflicts. Due to protocols established by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the New York State Department of Health, DEC cannot loan chemical immobilization equipment to other agencies. DEC advises that only trained and experienced staff should handle the capture, immobilization, and handling of bears.
On June 2, DEC responded to a request for assistance with a bear in a residential area from the Harrison Police Department. DEC followed established black bear protocol in responding to this bear sighting complaint.
Public education about black bears is an essential component of New York’s bear management program and is focused on providing an understanding of bear natural history, population management, and techniques for reducing human-bear conflicts. Over the past decade, DEC has specifically increased educational outreach as a proactive measure to prevent human-bear conflicts from developing or progressing.
There had been another sighting — presumably of the same bear — six blocks away, on Sherman Avenue, earlier in the day, according to a statement posted by Harrison PD on social media. The post has since been removed from Facebook and Instagram.
On Fri, Jun 6, 2025 at 16:35, Asher Stockler <AStockler@westchesterda.net> wrote:
I can confirm we are looking into it.
DEC
Dana
As you may have noticed, the statement you provided greatly increased news coverage of the story.
The DA told me they have opened an “inquiry” (not an investigation.
Is your office taking any steps on this matter?
Thanks
Robert Cox
+353 (89) 972 0669
Statement Attributable to DEC:
On June 2, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Police Officers (ECOs) responded to the town of Harrison, Westchester County, for a report of a bear in a residential area. In consultation with DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife, ECOs determined that the bear should be left alone to leave the area on its own as it posed no immediate threat to residents and had access to reasonable escape routes to nearby wooded areas. ECOs advised the local police department to take action if they believed the bear became a threat to public safety.
On Background:
On Background:
DEC’s Black Bear Response Manual outlines responses that DEC may take to address various human-bear conflicts.
To reduce bear attractants at home, DEC advises following the Six at-home BearWise Basics:
• Never feed or approach bears
• Secure food, garbage and recycling
• Remove bird feeders when bears are active
• Never leave pet food outdoors
• Clean and store grills and smokers
• Alert neighbors to bear activity
If you see a bear in your backyard or near your home DEC advises:
1. From a safe distance, make loud noises, shout, or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear.
2. When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed, or pet food.
3. Ask neighbors to remove attractants.
4. Check your yard for bears before letting out your dog.
When to report a bear sighting:
- If a bear presents an immediate risk to public safety, call 911;
- If a bear is damaging property or is reluctant to leave the area, but the situation is not an emergency, call the regional wildlife office during business hours, or the DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267);
By taking time to practice the BearWise basics, removing any unnatural food attractants and encouraging neighbors to do the same, New Yorkers are helping keep bears away from people, homes, and neighborhoods, and that helps keep bears healthy, wild, and safe. Bears typically move on from populated areas on their own, so the public is reminded to leave them alone — If you care, Leave it there.
To learn more about how to reduce encounters with bears, visit https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/black-bear/bearwise
https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/bears1.pdf
Rye Record
Not Ok’: Black Bear Fatally Shot in West Harrison by Police as Public Rages Over Killing
by Mayra Kalaora
Rye Record / 2025-06-09 03:12
A black bear was shot and killed by Harrison police last Monday after being spotted wandering through the yards of various homes on Columbus
“What happened was not just tragic, it was preventable,” wrote Cottontail Cottage Wildlife Rehab, a Westchester-based animal rescue service, in a Facebook post.
nd yet, Jim Horton, a wildlife expert, told News 12 that Harrison police contacted him to help deal with the bear. Horton told them he could be there in 10 minutes, but the police never reached back out, according to the outlet.
The bear was allegedly shot out of a tree, before it fell into a backyard, according to eyewitness reports on social media and a video obtained by The Record.
News 12 Wildlife expert releases recording of himself offering to help tranquilize West Harrison bear before it was killed
New York State DEC Disputes Harrison Police Account of Bear Shooting