A Florida woman was released from the hospital Saturday night, after being mauled by a bear in her Lake Mary home.
Officials from Florida Fish and Wildlife told WFTV in Seminole County that Terri Frana, 45, was attacked by a large black bear at about 8 p.m. on Saturday. The event occurred at her house in the Carisbrooke subdivision on Brackenhurst Place.
When medical officials arrived on the scene, Frana was reportedly conscious and able to communicate. Seminole County Fire and Rescue representatives told WFTV that the wounded woman was immediately transferred to a medical facility nearby.
Frana's husband, whose identity was not released, said the bear opened its mouth, locked his jaws around the 45-year-old woman's head, and dragged her nearly four feet before she could pry herself free.
Frana's current state is still unknown - FWC officials wouldn't comment on the woman's wounds due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
"I am really surprised," Argun Valay, who lived in Frana's neighborhood, said. "I didn't think a bear would really attack anybody."
FWC authorities reportedly searched for the bear in question late into Saturday night, setting three traps in various locations around the subdivision. They said marks from clawing and blood samples would help them identify the correct bear that attacked Frana.
"If we catch this bear, and we are 100 percent positive that this bear caused the attack, we will euthanize it," FWC Officer Lenny Salberg said during an interview with WFTV.
Some neighbors expressed worry for their safety.
"I am a little concerned because I don't live that far away from here," Valay said. "I am pretty nervous now and kind of afraid."
Others reported seeing a handful of bears roaming around the area.
"We've had a new bear here recently, who is a mama bear, and she has got two small cubs and a lame left foot," resident Doug Cifers said. "It would appear to me that she has three reasons to be aggressive."
