ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY)-- A community in New Jersey is outraged over the recent killing of 4 bear cubs. The cubs and their mother were at a state park in New Jersey when this happened.  I spoke to Sheriff Bill Schrom to find out if this is illegal in New York state and what charges could an individual face.

The Ringwood neighborhood in New Jersey was devasted by the recent cub killing. Many residents are familiar with these harmless bears who typically roam around their neighborhood.

Recently they got word, not one not two but all  4 bear cubs were killed  The community is in an uproar and wants the person who did this behind bars. 

The mama bear pictured above is just filled with sadness.

Sheriff Bill Schrom with the Chemung County Sheriff's office says this incident is appalling and illegal in New York State. If this were to happen here the shooter would face jail time and hefty fines.

"If you take a bear without the proper permits or outside of hunting season the first offense is a class a misdemeanor which is punishable by a year in jail and or a thousand dollars," Schrom said.

Bear hunting season in New York runs during the fall, September through December. Schrom explains that even then it's illegal to kill a mama bear with her cubs.

"And if the person did shoot 4 cubs they would probably get a separate count for each one and rightfully so there's just no justification for doing that quite honestly. You can't even shoot an adult female bear if her cubs are with her even during hunting season," Schrom said.

New Jersey authorities do have a suspect in custody for the killing of the cubs.  Schrom says generally if this incident happened here, they would work with DEC  to investigate.