Victim of bear attack remembered

SHEFFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Many took time on Thursday to remember a local man who was killed in a bear attack last week.

Brent Kandra, 24, was attacked at a Columbia Township exotic animal sanctuary. The bear was eventually euthanized.

Friends and family members gathered at Gargus Hall on North Ridge Road in Sheffield Township for Kandra’s memorial. An elder with the Jehovah’s Witnesses officiated the ceremony, which was closed to the media.

Kandra died after he was mauled by a bear named Iroquois on a farm owned by Sam Mazzola. Mazzola has said the attack happened when Kandra, who was one of the bear’s caretakers, was doing a routine feeding.

The tragedy created a whirlwind of scrutiny regarding the oversight of exotic animals. The humane society continues to push for legislation that would ban the acquisition of dangerous, exotic animals as pets.

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Department and the prosecutor’s office continue to investigate and no decision has been made on whether the owner of the bear will face any charges. OSHA is also investigating to determine if any fines should be levied.