After death of 'Pedals,' NJ lawmaker wants to halt bear hunt

NEW JERSEY (FOX 5 NEWS) - Pedals, New Jersey's upright walking bear, waltzed into the hearts of many. Pedals was often seen walking through Oak Ridge. Although wildlife officials can't confirm he was killed because he was never tagged, they do believe he was killed during last week's hunt.

Department of Environmental Protection officials say the bear had injuries to his front paws that would've made it difficult for him to walk on all fours. He was one of 487 bears killed during New Jersey's five-day bow-and-arrow hunting season for black bears.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak started an online petition that has already received 10,000 signatures to support a bill he has proposed that would ban bear hunting in the state for the next five years. It's called Pedals' Law.

Many who live in those neighborhoods, though, believe hunting is the only effective way to control the bear population.

The DEP said there was no practical way to protect one bear out of thousands. However, even hunting advocates say they just wish it didn't have to be pedals.