Ohio man charged in shooting of bear

BAKERSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An eastern Ohio man charged with shooting an endangered animal says he killed a black bear as a matter of self-defense when the animal ran toward him.

If convicted of the misdemeanor offense, 35-year-old John Tanksley of Newcomerstown in Coshocton County could get up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Tanksley says his dog tried to chase the bear away from his property early Wednesday, but it kept coming back. He says when he and his girlfriend tried to get the dog back in the house, the bear came charging at them.

State wildlife officer Garth Goodyear describes the 2-year-old bear as “man-size” and weighing 165 pounds. He says trash outside the house should have been more secure so as not to attract the animal.