A bear killed a chihuahua in front of its owner just days after another dog was injured in the same New Jersey town, according to officials warning about the still-at-large animal.
The deadly attack in Sparta occurred around 3:20 p.m. Monday when a homeowner took her chihuahua outside with her to check out some noises — just to be confronted by a mama bear with a cub, NJ.com reported.
The bear initially moved toward the woman, before turning on the small dog and killing it, the outlet said.
The woodsy neighborhood was already on high alert after an attack early on Thursday last week, when a nearby resident heard a bear and its cub going through the garbage on the side of her home.
The resident’s three dogs managed to slip out of the house when she went out to startle the unwelcome visitor with an airhorn, NJ.com said.
The mama bear set upon and attacked one of the dogs before loping away from the scene.
The injured dog was treated at an animal hospital, and is expected to recover, the outlet added.
Following both attacks, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has set a trap for the bear, which has not been spotted since Monday.
Police urged anyone who sees the bear to report it immediately. “We appreciate the community’s cooperation and vigilance during this time,” Sparta Police Chief Jeffrey McCarrick wrote in a statement.
