Not something you see on your way to the doctor

A 300 pound black bear wandered through the automatic doors of Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital. After being trapped in a computer room, law enforcement officers killed the bear. Lt. Karl Martin, a state game warden explains their decision:

Martin said he considered tranquilizing the bear but decided it had to be shot to death as a safety precaution. The bear was partially hidden behind a desk, preventing a clear shot with a tranquilizer gun.

He said sedating the bear might have endangered patients, staff, officers and curious onlookers outside because bears often become angry, disoriented and seek to escape before losing consciousness several minutes later. A Franklin County sheriff's deputy killed the animal with two shots.

Sadly, this scare highlights the human vs. bear problem as suburbs and towns grow out into the country. (Okay, but not where we live. =P)