Update posted at 5:35 p.m. available here.

East Brookfield Police Department

When an East Brookfield homeowner took his dogs out into the yard Tuesday he was unprepared for another furry animal that approached, a bear.

Fearing for the safety of the dogs, which included 10 four-week-old puppies, the Adams Road homeowner shot the bear, killing it, according to a statement by the East Brookfield police department on Facebook.

"This bear was shot by a nervous resident today," the East Brookfield police said in the Facebook post alongside the photo of the bear. "Don't shoot a bear if it comes into your yard, call the police. We have means to get them moving that are not lethal!"

Upon investigation, environmental police officers have deemed the shooting justified under the circumstances.

The photo garnered 360 comments, 80 likes and was shared by 247 people on Facebook. Responses to the image ranged from sadness about the animal's death to others agreeing with the homeowner's actions.