Sussex County Bear Activist Going To Trial Over Internet Comments

VERNON, NJ— A bear activist will stand trial in April after hunters say she harassed them online, media outlets reported.

Susan Kehoe, of Vernon, is being sued in civil court after she accused two hunters of killing a bear called "Pretty Mama" in a Facebook post, NJ Herald reported.

Two hunters, Michael Bush and Nickey Pisco, filed police complaints shortly after the post was made for harassment. Vernon Township Police did not press charges, and the pair filed a civil suit.

Both hunters reported receiving death threats as a result of the Facebook post, NJ.com reported.

Lawyers for Kehoe said any alleged post would fall under the First Amendment. Lawyers for the hunters say it was made maliciously with intention to cause harm, according to NJ Herald.

This is not the first time online comments about who killed which bear have sparked lawsuits. A Morris County man sued six online commenters last year after he was named as the killer of Pedals, the bipedal bear (he said he didn't do it).

Read more on NJHerald.com.

Update: An earlier version of this story misidentified the bear in the alleged Facebook post. The bear is referred to as "Pretty Mama."

Image via YouTube Screenshot