An animal rights activist who admitted to helping free a bear caught in a trap in Vernon will spend a few weeks in jail.

The incident happened back in October at the Great Gorge Village condominium complex.

Catherine McCartney, 50, of Vernon, is appealing the 15-day sentence.

According to officials, she and another man, Mark Nagelhout, 43, of Park Ridge, helped the young bear escape from the trap.

The New Jersey DEP set up the traps after two residents reported being charged at by a bear in separate incidents.