Regional Police Roundup: Call of the Wild

This article is written by Jayme Kunze:

A "Beary" Wild Encounter

A West Hartford woman was forced to defend her "terrier-like" dog from a black bear in her backyard on Wednesday, according to police. She suffered a puncture wound and some scratches on her leg, police said.

The bear was tranquilized and later euthanized, according to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. DEEP said that particular animal had a history of aggressive behavior.

Moose on the Loose

A young adult, male moose was seen wandering Manchester Thursday morning, police said.  Cpt. Chris Davis of the Manchester Police Department said he had "never heard" of a moose sighting before in the town.

DEEP employees guided the animal back into the woods and out of more populated areas, police said. This moose may no longer be loose. A moose was struck by a car and killed early Friday morning in Manchester. Officials do not know if it was the same moose.

Moose "Tails" Continue

Vernon police were also on patrol near Center Road School and Vernon Center Middle School after a moose was seen in the area where students frequently walk to school, police said. Officers surmised that the moose headed from Hartford Turnpike onto the Rails to Trails system and then proceeded to Manchester.

This week's moose events followed other sightings in Avon, Farmington and West Hartford around May 15.  As mentioned, this moose may no longer be loose. A moose was struck by a car and killed early Friday morning in Manchester. Officials do not know if it was the same moose.

A "Grizzly" End

Although this particular bear probably wasn't a grizzly, a Connecticut bear was unfortunately hit and killed Thursday evening on Route 15 in Hamden.