WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – A Connecticut hunter and his dog got a lot closer to a bear than they wanted.
Environmental Protection reps say Dan Sweeney was on a state-owned reservoir in West Hartford when his unleashed Schnauzer provoked a bear.
The bear attacked the dog, so Sweeney pulled out a handgun and fired eight shots at the bear before scaring it away.
The MDC says all dogs are supposed to be leashed and guns are not allowed on public hiking and walking trails.
Both officials and people who frequent the area were disturbed by the incident.
The dog was taken to an animal hospital with unknown injuries.
The reservoir was shut down for several hours to try and find the bear. No luck there.
State environmental officials say they're still investigating the area.
