Black bear appears free of rabies

<br>(Broken Arrow-AP) -- State officials say Sophie the black bear does not appear to have rabies. That's good news for two handlers at Safari's Exotic Animal Sanctuary who were bitten by the

Thursday, July 6th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Broken Arrow-AP) -- State officials say Sophie the black bear does not appear to have rabies. That's good news for two handlers at Safari's Exotic Animal Sanctuary who were bitten by the bear last month.

The three-year-old, 200-pound Sophie has been quarantined since early June at her cage at the animal sanctuary so officials could check her for signs of rabies.

Officials say Sophie bit Galen Timothy Bannon on June Sixth when he turned his back to clean her cage after bringing her a bucket of food. Bannon was hospitalized for wounds to his arms and legs. She had also bitten another handler.