Montana Animal Training Firm Sued Over Mauling

The parents of a 24-year-old man killed by a captive-bred bear are suing a Bozeman-area animal training facility for wrongful death.

In their lawsuit filed in Gallatin County District Court, Ronald and Adelle Cloutier said that Animals of Montana Inc. and owner Troy Hyde failed to take reasonable measures to safeguard their son Benjamin Cloutier.

On Nov. 4, 2012, Benjamin Cloutier was mauled and killed by a 500-pound brown bear.

The couple’s lawsuit lists wrongful death, negligence, liability for injury caused by wild animals and negligent infliction of emotional distress. They are seeking unspecified damages.

Chuck Watson, whose law office represents Animals of Montana, told the Bozeman Chronicle that he and his client don’t believe the company is to blame and that is was a tragic accident.