Charges dropped against alleged bear baiter

Charges have been dropped against a man accused of killing a bear over bait last fall.

Michael Bodi, 51, of Chester was cited Sept. 20 after a tip alleged Bodi had killed the bear in a baited area.

According to a May 9 story in the Rutland Herald, the charges were dropped because a confidential informant didn't want to testify publicly in the case. Windsor County State's Attorney Robert Sand told the Herald that without the state's main witness, there was no choice but to drop the prosecution.

Bodi said his bear meat and bow were returned and a hold on his bear hide that is at a taxidermist was lifted.