Reader comments
Bear mauling wasn't Utah's fault, state official says

While the tragedy for this family is immense, and I cannot imagine the loss of a child, trying to assign blame and sue agencies is misplaced grief.

The Ives contend that they would not be suing if there had not been previous reports of a bear in the campground. Does that mean their son's death would be less important? They also contend their son would still be alive if they hadn't camped in the area. Does that mean he wouldn't have been hit by a bus the next day?

Anytime humans wander into the wilderness, no matter how prepared or knowledgeable about hazards, we assume the risk that a wild animal will take offense and attack. There is no difference between a burgler breaking into my home and me being allowed to kill the perpetrator, than people walking into a wild animals territory, and them defending that area.

I am sorry this happened. Maybe I am insensitive (probably) but acts of God and nature are just that. I would be morose beyond expression had my son been killed by a bear, but I live my life and take responsibility for my decisions as a father/parent. Bears, rattle snakes and mountain lions are but a few things that can kill you in the canyons of the Wasatch. That is the way it is. I know, report it and maybe people will make different decisions. On what, the bear alert network. I am sorry it happened.

when you enter the home of a wild animal you can not expect that at times wild animals will defend their homes, just as we do. My heart goes out to the family what a terrible accident. But, enough with the law suits, lets spend our energy capturing the real predators of children the ones that lurk right in your own neighborhoods who rape and murder innocent children.....

I agree. My sympathies go to the family, but they need to take time to heal and then move on. I do not mean that they should forget about their son, but try and move on from the tragic way he was taken from them. They are only hurting themselves more and more by focusing on the way his life ended instead of the way he lived. Dropping these accusations would help them on the road to a more peaceful life.

Correct me if Im wrong, but weren't these guys camping in an area that wasnt designated for camping? I can see their claim being valid if they were in an actual campground, but when you go of on your own, its just that....your on your own. Im sorry for their loss. Its absolutely terrible. But why do we live in a day an age when we have to blame someone for everything. Can't we just accept life as it is sometimes, and ask God for answers to all things?

I have lost a child and could have sued because it was an in out surgical procedure.
TO sue here is pure greed, the state did the best they could. Young is a self interested lawyer thats all one call.

The state chased the bear with dogs for hours the day before and lost the trail after it traveled miles from the site of the first incident. Authorities warned campers in the area of the first incident, but this family came in after those warnings were issued.
What more could they have done? Not much.
I'm sorry for this families loss, but if we quit doing everything that has risks we'd have to start with driving.
Is the state responsible for not warning me that certain drivers are high risk. Maybe they should paint signs on the sides of cars driven by drunks and old people that shouldn't be driving any more.

They weren't camped in a campground, they were just camped off the side of the road, not in an approved camping area.
There were warning signs posted in the approved campgrounds. The State is not to blame in this one.

The govt should have closed campsites in the area - as stated in the article - when sharks attack the beach is closed - we do not tell people "if you swim you may be attacked it's your responsibility". I think the family should be suing because the govt was negligent and frequently uses the "you can't sue us" excuse to avoid responsibility.

Hey if you can sue McDonalds for coffee being hot and burning you (imagine that) then why not sue for there being bears in the MOUNTAINS that attack.

I am stunned that the state of Utah would dare point fingers at the Federal Government or the USDA Forest service. I agree with ER and Kelly (the above postings), this family entered into the bear's territory and may not have taken the precautions to ensure their safety with the possiblity of ANY wild animal in the area. Even if all precautions were taken, there is no guarantee that this animal attack or the risk of falling off a mountain or drowing in the creek; wouldnt have happened. Some would say C'est la vie. However, in this great state most of us share Christian beliefs and I am stunned that no one has discussed the possiblity of God needing this child to help serve a greater purpose or does that only happen when it's "someone else's" child?
Thank you

Sometimes when parents feel guilty for the death of a child they try to blame others.

In this case:
There was food open and in the tent.
There were many empty beer cans (drunk parents).
They were in a remote location.
They did not ask a ranger about current risks.

The parents choices are the problem in this case. I am sorry for their loss.

Only a sleeze ball lawyer would take on a case like this. Shameful!

I haven't been up American Fork canyon, where this occurred. If there is some location where you pay to go into the canyon, then I would think the family has some legs to stand on if there was no verbal or written warning at that location. Beyond that, since they camped outside of campgrounds, their claims seem to not be valid.

It seems a lot of people leaving comments were too lazy to actually read the article. The Ives case is not about their son being killed by the bear and sueing because of an "act of God". It is about the neglect of officials who knew there was an immediate danger and did not give proper notification. The Ives were at a primitive campground which does not mean it was not designated for camping, it just means it didn't have a bathrooms and picnic tables.

When this lawyer suggests that 90% of campers would not know the importance of properly securing food items in bear country, he is as foolish as those who camp in bear country without being aware of the safety precautions. Anyone who has experience of camping in bear county knows that all items that attract bears must be sealed and secured. If they do not know this, then they have been negligent in taking proper safety precautions.

The family proudly declares themselves as extremely experienced campers, yet failed to take the proper precautions in an area known to have frequent bear intrusions. Does this not sound like negligent action?

As pointed out by others, this family will not find closure in the loss of a loved one by trying to pass the blame to others.

As a bear in the forest, you expect me to always be on my best behavior. Because of development my land is being taken away from me little by little. Nature is making it very difficult to find food and water with the drought and all. I am sorry my bear friend did such a bad thing, but start realizing that human error caused as much of this terrible ACCIDENT as anyone did including us bears. We only know what to do by instinct. Humans should be using their heads and brains to do what they should. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Put all food in your vehicles, read and take action on the posted signs. Prepare yourselves for anything to happen when camping in tents. Most of all, dont drink (beer) and camp! The Bear Community ---- In all seriousness, people if you are going to live in this world, then take responsibility for your actions, and realize that life goes on no matter what your decisions may be. But you are still responsible for those decisons right or wrong! This family needs to get on the band wagon, and start getting back to life. Samuel has moved on! You need to.

Blame the beer company! Blame the farmers for growing food! Blame the tent makers for not having a bear warning label! Blame the government and anyone with deep pockets! Why isn't the natural father suing his ex-wife and her husband? They appear to share most of the negligence.

One fact does exist: No one wanted or intended for this tragedy to happen. Unfortunately, this boys death was about as rare as a lightning strike. It's still safer to camp out than to drive to the camping spot. The court is reasonably addressing this issue.

Kevin,
We are all aware what the article is about.. Surprise! there is immediate danger all around! Are you really looking for an official to hold your hand thorugh out your daily life? PLEASE!!Maybe you should consider a new lot in life such as creating warning labels on merchandise such as on baby strollers warning stupid parents to: �Remove child before folding" or on car sunshields warning idiot drivers to "Not Drive while sunshield is in place". We have these ridiculous warning labels because people like the Ives don't want to take responsibility for their own stupidity!

It was extremely unfortunate that this young boy lost his life.

But whether or not you are in "bear country", or in a designated campground or not, you need to expect that you will have encounters with wildlife whether that be a friendly and passive encounter or an agressive encounter. You have left your home in the city and stepped into wild country. You are now in a natural habitat for wild animals- including bears. They have more right to be there than you, and they have every right to act like a bear which means they will forage for food, defend themselves and their young, and defend their territory if need be. You are the invader. You are the one that doesn't belong. It is the risk you are taking every time you go camping or hiking whether or not there are signs posted and whether or not you are in "designated areas." Last time I checked, bears can't read.