People across the metro area are speaking out after two black bears at Maymont are euthanized because one of them scratched a child.

"I think it's tragic, I think it's sad and it just makes me mad."

Park officials say a 4-year-old was scratched in a restricted area of the park Saturday after climbing a four foot fence and attempting to feed the bears through another fence.

People across the metro area say it's the boy's parents and not the bears that should be punished.

"It makes me so angry to know that these two animals were put down for doing nothing more then doing what wild animals do," said Adam Kramer.

After watching our story on 8 News at 6, Adam Kramer like many of you contacted us, outraged over what he saw.

"That's disgusting."

Kramer who considers himself a modest animal lover says he thinks the parent who was supervising that child, should have seen the clearly visible signs hanging on the fence they allegedly watched their child pass right by.

"The parents are in my opinion at fault for neglect. How can you let your child stray that far when you know there are two bears for heaven's sake."

Kramer says it's not just the parents actions he finds fault with. He's equally frustrated with city officials who made the final call.

"These two animals were put down because someone couldn't figure out which one allegedly nipped at a child who was breaking the law. To say that I was appalled by that would be a gross understatement."

We wondered too so we went to the Mayor's office to find out if the parent would be held accountable. We were told they would not comment on an ongoing investigation they were not part of. We got the same response from Child Protective Services who wouldn't give us any information because of privacy laws.

The 8Newsroom has been flooded with e-mails in response to this story. Here's a sampling:

"The parents are at fault in this case and they should pay - monetarily to Maymont, and a public apology for their actions - for all that has transpired." - K. Kirk

"Mightn't we have saved these bears and taught a very important lesson to the greater community and a negligent, misbehaving child by forcing that child to undergo rabies shots while quarantining the bears for the required time to determine rabies infection?" - I. Regelson.

We did not receive any e-mails supporting the parents. We did, however, ask officials at Maymont if they think the parents should be punished.

"We don't know who the family is. We have no interest in knowing. It's beside the point. It's a terrible tragedy. It's done now. We hope that if one decent thing comes out of this it's that someone else pays attention the next time around," said Maymont Foundation spokeswoman Kate Brown.

Rabies tests done on two bears from Maymont Park are expected back today.