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Woman's butt bitten in bear attack
Victim taken to Florida Hospital Altamonte
LONGWOOD, Fla. -
A woman walking her dog while taking out the trash was attacked by a bear Friday morning at an apartment complex in Seminole County, officials said.
Terri Gurley, 57, was bitten on the rear-end in the attack, which occurred at the Camden Club Apartments on Sabal Lake Drive in Longwood. The area is close to the Wekiva River, near the edge of a state forest that was once bear habitat.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Gurley spotted the bear earlier in the evening, so she waited to take out the trash. After she thought the bear had left, Gurley went outside with her dog, an Akita-German shepherd mix named Reilly, the FWC said.
Officials said Gurley then noticed the bear near a trash bin, and her dog confronted the animal.
"The dog was trying to go at her and I'm pulling her back, trying to get away," Gurley said. "I was walking backwards and I tripped and I fell, hitting my head."
Gurley tried to run away but fell and was bitten by the bear, which was with its cub, wildlife officials said.
"I looked up to the side, saw her face," Gurley said. "And I rolled over and that's when she bit me on my butt."
Gurley told Local that 6 she rolled over facedown to protect herself after she fell.
"All I can think of is how terrifying it is to look and its right there," Gurley said. "Not knowing what she's going to do. Thank God she wasn't on her hind legs."
Gurley was taken to Florida Hospital Altamonte and was later released.
The FWC said it will set traps for the bear, which could weigh up to 300 pounds. Officials said they are using birthday cake to lure the bear into a trap. The bear would be euthanized if it is captured, the FWC said.
Neighbors said bears are often seen roaming the area, which is not far from Sabal Palm Elementary and Wekiva Springs Road.
A mailman gave Local 6 a picture of a bear recently spotted in the area, but it's not known if it's the one that was involved in the attack.
"I'm sure she was just protecting her cub, but I was surprised she came at me," Gurley said. "I used to be a nature lover but I'm not really happy with her right now."
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