Family says black bear attacked, killed dog in Longwood

LONGWOOD, Fla. – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says it is investigating a report of a possible bear attack in Longwood.

The incident was reported at a home on Glen Ethel Lane on Monday morning.

A viewer contacted Local 6 and said a black bear killed his parents' dog. The Bentley family said the bear came through the woods and took their dog, Toby.

"I knew as soon as I started searching outside he was taken or something," said the dog's owner, Paula Bentley.

Shortly afterward, Paula picked up the phone to call her son, David.

"I was on my way home from work when my mother called," David Bentley said. "She was hysterical. She said her dog Toby was gone."

An initial sweep of the back yard and surrounding areas yielded no answers, until David went into the back woods.

"I was walking back there when suddenly, I came face to face with a large black bear," David said. "It was down on all fours, and I walked up to it and scared it away. Underneath its paws, was our family dog."

Paula broke down after hearing the news, "Toby, five pounds, that dog was the best."

Heartbreak quickly turned to relief once the Bentley family realized all five of their grandchildren were all safe. 

"If we have a little dog sitting out here, the bear could be very easily taken our little grandchild," said William Bentley, Paula's wife. "If he picked up our dog, the kids could be next." 

The Bentleys said they have previously seen a bear breaking through their screened-in pool area and have also seen bears in their driveway.

"I have grandchildren that play out here. You constantly have to be around to make sure nothing comes out of the woods or in front of the houses,"  Paula Bentley told Local 6. "They are all over."

FWC said it has set a bear trap in Longwood and they are expecting to keep it out for four days. No bears have been trapped as of Tuesday afternoon.