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FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Wildlife officials say a Fort Collins man shot and killed a young black bear that got into a fight with his dog in his backyard.

The Coloradoan reports (http://goo.gl/NlKETK ) the 1-year-old to 2-year-old female bear was sleeping a few feet from the back door when the man let his dog out Thursday night. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokeswoman Jennifer Churchill says the dog and bear surprised each other and got into a tussle.

The man retrieved a rifle from his living room and shot the bear. He then called police, who arrived with a wildlife officer.

The bear was dead when they arrived, and the dog didn’t require veterinary care.

Wildlife officials are investigating because it’s illegal to shoot wildlife without a permit. It’s also illegal to shoot a gun within city limits.

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Information from: Fort Collins Coloradoan, http://www.coloradoan.com