LONGWOOD, Fla. – A second bear has been trapped and euthanized in the Longwood neighborhood where a woman was attacked last week, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
[LISTEN: 911 call reporting bear attack | PICS: Cub trapped]
FWC said the 200-pound male bear was caught Sunday night and "closely fits the description" of the animal that was involved in the mauling of 54-year-old Susan Chalfant.
Because of the description of the bear, FWC officials said they decided to euthanize it and samples will be sent for testing.
"Public safety remains a top priority. Because the incident resulted in serious injuries, we decided to put the bear down," said Nick Wiley, FWC executive director.
The announcement comes days after FWC euthanized a 200-pound female bear trapped near English Ivy Court.
Chalfant was attacked by a bear while walking two small dogs on the night of Dec. 2. She suffered facial injuries and was hospitalized. Local 6 has learned Chalfant is at home but still recovering from serious facial wounds.
A bear cub that was also captured last week was found to not fit the description of the bear involved in Chalfant's attack and is being housed at a Crystal River rehabilitation center, according to FWC.
For more information about Florida black bears and how to deal with them, visit the FWC website.