US officers shoot bear with head stuck in a jar

(AP)

Minnesota wildlife officials tried for six days to capture a bear that had a plastic jar stuck over its head, but ended up killing the animal after it wandered into a city during a festival.

The wild black bear - whose head got stuck inside a 2.5 gallon clear plastic jug presumably while foraging for food - ambled into the city of Frazee, about 200 miles north-west of St Paul, during the town's busy Turkey Days celebration, the St Paul Pioneer Press reported.

"When it got into town, our main concern was public safety," said Rob Naplin, the Department of Natural Resources' area wildlife supervisor.

The bear was first reported near the town of Lake George, about 60 miles east of Frazee, on 21 July.

While the bear could breathe, it couldn't eat or drink and was likely suffering from dehydration and hunger.

"I'm sure there was high anxiety and frustration with its predicament," Naplin said.