The Keeper wrote:
There are no grizzly bears in Utah, according to the government, only black bears.



But there ARE grizzlies in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

And bears don't always stick to one area, especially when food becomes scarce. Grizzlies are known to have a pretty wide territory in which they roam in search of food.

Jaye wrote:
mykidsgramma wrote:
I don't think I was meaning to imply the gov't. should be held responsible, it was a very tragic accident. Could it have been prevented, guess we will never know. It just seemed like some people were looking at it rather heartlessly, having no compassion for what the family is STILL going through. My son is a good friend of the family's, in fact, had just spent a day with them the week end before. He says the boy was very likeable, very sweet and kind to everyone. He was very much loved by his family and friends. He was real, a child with hopes, wishes and plans, just like most of us. I didn't want him de-humanized.

This just goes to show that things aren't always what they 'seem'.

Because you know this family personally...you took the remarks very deeply to heart. And you simply assumed that we had no compassion at all for the family.

I have worlds of compassion for them, and I know that the others do to. What happened to this boy was horrendous. It staggers the imagination to think of the horror and agony he endured before he died.

And last year when the article about the attack was posted...a lot of us were among the first to extend our sympathies to the family.

But I've just got to say...suing the State of Utah isn't going to resurrect the boy, and it isn't going to make them feel any better about it.

All they will really accomplish if they win this lawsuit, is to penalize their fellow citizens in Utah, one way or the other.

Since you know this family, ask them something. Are they seeking monetary award? Or to push the State into legislating different procedures in the State parks and campgrounds?

The state followed the procedures that were currently in place. They are in the process of changing some of their policies...but even if they put up warning signs, you must understand that there will always be those who disregard, or even scoff at warning signs.

I see it all the time here in Washington State on the coastal areas. Most of the beaches have signs posted along the beach warning of extremely dangerous undertow situations, and warn people to stay well out of the water.

Yet I always see surfers, fishermen, and tourist families with small children, not knowing what the heck they were doing, wading knee deep, and even waist deep in the surf.

I've even seen the little kids get knocked over by the occasional rogue wave, and the parents really had to hustle to chase and grab the kids before they were sucked back into the surf by the ever-present undertow.

Every year there are accidental drownings, and sometimes the bodies are never retrieved, but lost to the sea forever.

In our National Parks, there are warnings posted everywhere...'DO NOT FEED THE WILDLIFE!'

Do you think that stops campers from feeding deer, raccoons, and even bears? No. Take a look on You-Tube. Google people feeding bears.

Watch the fools who get out of their cars and approach bears and toss marshmallows and bread to them.

As a result of their fool-hardiness, many bears are not afraid of human beings, and consider them to be a ready source of food...either by being fed by the people...or going after the people themselves.

Watch the fools who have approached Moose in the wild. And Elk. And Mule Deer.

And buffalo . . . I remember seeing a guy walking up and standing next to a buffalo for a photo op in Yellowstone one time. He was lucky that time.

I saw a video like that. The guy got chased round and round a very convenient tree.

Is that the one?

Ever see the one that takes place in either Canada or Alaska, (I don't recall which) where a moose and her calf had wandered into the city, and was standing outside of a restaurant, peering into a window?

A hapless pedestrian walking down the sidewalk failed to notice the pair of moose until it was too late. The mother moose ran him down and stomped the ever-livin' poodgies out of him.

I don't know if he survived the attack or not. That moose stomped him for quite a while.

Jaye wrote:
I saw a video like that. The guy got chased round and round a very convenient tree.

Is that the one?

Nah, it pretty much ignored him. That's why he was lucky!

Don't worry Grandma. Those people have no compassion and just judge, judge, judge. Until you have walked in the footprints of this family, shut your mouth.

I don't know this family, but I am sure they are overcome with grief over their son. They have EVERY right to bring forth a lawsuit. They said that had they been warned that a bear was seen in the area, they wouldn't have camped there. I go camping with my family all the time and if I was warned that a bear had been around earlier, I would camp somewhere else. The government has a duty to warn people about dangers - they didn't do that in this case. I know many of you take the hard stance, and say stupid things like, "Warning: Steep cliffs in the area. Gravity is dangerous to your well-being". That is belittling, and cruel to this poor family. Everyone on this board has every right to say what they want, but it seems like most people use it to bash.

As for all the pot shots taken at lawyers - you all are ill-informed idiots who follow the herd and make fun of attorneys. I am married to an attorney, and work with attorneys. My husband is the most compassionate man I know. There are definetely some rotten apples in the bunch, but they are the exception, and not the rule. They are the ones that get all of the attenion, and it sucks for the rest of the hard working ethical attorneys.

I assume most of the posters here are members of the Church of JESUS Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am not a member, but if I was, I would be embarrased to be associated with you all. You are so judgemental and uncompassionate it makes me SICK!!!