Woodland Zoo owner found not guilty in bear incident
The owner of Woodland Zoo in Farmington was recently found not guilty of endangering the public following an incident where two people were bit and scratched by a bear while at the zoo.
Darwin “Sonny” Herring, 47, of Farmington was cited with failure to exercise due care to safeguard the public and failure to produce identification to a state Game Commission officer following the incident, which occurred Nov. 17. Herring previously said the bite victim was participating in a program for budding zookeepers, which allows behind-the-scenes access, when bit by the bear.
Officials said the victim, a woman, received eight stitches to close the bite wound to her arm. Another unidentified man was scratched when he went to her aid.
Herring said both victims were home within hours of receiving medical attention.
“There’s dog bites more serious than this every day and the only reason this is drawing attention is because it’s a bear,” he was previously quoted as saying, according to The Associated Press.
Officer Stephen A. Leiendecker of the commission’s southwest region office filed the citations against Herring.
Fayette County Court records indicate that Herring was found not guilty of failure to safeguard the public at a summary trial Jan. 10.
However, records indicate Herring was found guilty of failure to produce identification and was ordered to pay $360.