WORCESTER, Mass. -- Police have shot and killed a 200-pound black bear after it wandered into a neighborhood in Worcester.
Officers cornered the animal near a ramp to Interstate 290 Friday and were hoping it would climb into a tree, where it could be safely tranquilized.
Lt. John Pajak of the Massachusetts Environmental Police said if the bear had been hit by a tranquilizer dart while on the ground, it may have become startled and run into traffic on the highway.
Pajak said the shooting was done "very quickly and humanely."
It's believed the same adolescent bear was seen in the towns of Southborough, Grafton and Millbury in recent weeks before it wandered into the state's second-largest city.
(Copyright (c) 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Fire tears through old Lawrence mill Woman trying to cash bad check arrested Hospital security staff to be trained by Boston police Holliston recreates Halloween for boy who had flu Child finds wedding rings that were missing for 30 years Local family feels impact of shooting at Fort Hood 
