Police: Mass. Man Baited Bear In Backyard

A Worcester-area man is facing charges after police say he illegally killed a bear in his backyard.

Authorities say they don't buy 76-year-old Richard Ahlstrand's claim he was cornered by the animal Saturday outside his Auburn home. He faces charges including illegally killing an animal and weapon possession.

Ahlstrand tells The Boston Herald he was investigating damage to his bird feeders when a black bear charged him. He says he was carrying a shotgun because it looked like a large animal had disturbed his feeders.

Ahlstrand says he's sorry he killed the bear but he had no choice.

Auburn police Chief Andrew Sluckis says he believes a 50-gallon barrel in the yard was being used as bait, not serving as birdseed storage.