Aggressive Bear Attacks, Kills Fayette Co. Woman's Goat, Donkey
CONNELLSVILLE (KDKA) -- Bear sightings are not uncommon this time of year, but one in Fayette County was especially alarming.
The bear in this case killed two family pets.
Rosie Striner says the black bear that came onto her property in Connellsville was very aggressive.
"He was a very big bear. Very tall," Striner said.
On Monday morning, she spotted the bear in her backyard.
"[They were] my little granddaughter's pets," she said.
Sparky was a miniature donkey about 7-months-old. She says he was going to be in a Nativity scene next month. Annie was a goat. They were inside a fence when the bear mauled them.
"He was in them woods and he wouldn't leave," said Striner.
She says he was headed towards her house, so she called her daughter and nephew, and together they shot him.
"He was a little tough to put down," she said.
Striner suspects there are mud marks from the bear trying to get in her garage.
"There's feed in there and he probably scented that," Striner said.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission came to the scene to take the bear away. They say it appears an attempted poaching took place before this incident because the bear had an arrow in its chest.
Officials say the injury looks like it took place before archery season earlier this month and that the wound likely caused the bear to lose weight, making him more aggressive and hungry.
This is why Striner's pets were likely a target. Officials say Striner was in the right when it comes to killing the bear because it was for personal protection of her and her property.
Striner says she will miss the pets. In a way, Striner says she's thankful the attack happened.
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