Locals shocked as slain bear cub tethered to rope and pulled through town by quad bike

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

The bear was scavenging for food in Makarov town and while close to a kindergarten was peaceful, according to some reports. 

But some residents used dogs to seek to chase away the young beast.

The bear retreated to the river where a policeman shot the animal dead. 

It was then tied to a rope and the carcass pulled through the streets of the town in scenes that upset some locals who complained to the Forestry Ministry.

Pictures show the intestines of the bear spilling out, prompting claims that police cut out the gallbladder.

Bear gallbladders - and bile - are seen as a popular boost to male sexual performance.

They are also used for 'treatments' for cardiac problems, eye puffiness, asthma, cancer, and burns.

Gallbladders can be sold by poachers for 25,000 roubles - $435 - each and fetch 30 times this value on the black market in Asia.

An eyewitness anonymously told the local media: 'The bear cub was walking along the streets and yards, afraid of passers-by. Apparently it was looking for food. 

'People raised the excitement, and began to frighten it with dogs, and eventually drove it to the river, where it was shot by a policemen.

'But it had not not shown aggression, and behaved calmly. They could also have called in hunting experts.' 

Local police said they had complaints from residents over the bear in town.

The animal 'behaved aggressively and attacked the dogs'. They tried to scare away the bear, but it did not react. 

Police said there was no response from hunting experts. 

The official police report said: 'After the bear was shot, its body fell into the river. It was impossible to pull it out manually. 

'It was tied to a quad bike and dragged to the road. 

'Then it was loaded into a car and taken away to the woods where it was buried.' 

Forestry officials - in charge of protecting bears and residents - are talking to locals to get their version of events. 

They are to seek advice on whether the bear was shot lawfully, and treated properly in the disposal of its remains.