State denies responsibility for bear attack

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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Utah officials say the blame for a bear attack that killed an 11-year-old Utah County boy lies in the hands of the federal government.

Lawyers for the attorney general's office say the Utah Governmental Immunity Act protects the state from any prosecutions.

Sam Ives was camping in American Fork canyon last June when a bear ripped through a tent and mauled him to death. In a lawsuit his family claims that state and federal agencies failed to warn campers that bears had been in the same area a day before harassing campers.

In 4th District Court papers, state attorneys say the U.S. and the UDSA Forest Service are responsible. Also to blame: Ives and his stepbrother Jack Mulvey, who negligently brought food, soda and other "bear attractants" to their campsite, causing the attack.

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Information from: Deseret Morning News, http://www.deseretnews.com