WEST SPRINGFIELD - A Sikes Avenue man shot and killed a black bear with single pistol-shot to the head Friday night after it started to go after his small dog, police said.

The incident unfolded about 8:15 pm.. when the homeowner heard his dog barking outside, Sgt. Nolan Ryan said.

"He went outside and saw the bear," Ryan said, adding that it likely weighed more than 250 pounds. "He made a few attempts to scare the bear off. It didn't work and the bear started to go after the dog."

The bear got to within a few feet of the dog and the homeowner then shot it once, just above the right eye.

The bear started started to climb a tree and then fell down, dead. The dog was not injured.

Ryan said the homeowner had a valid license to carry and was within his rights to defend his pet on his property. He did not know the make or caliber of the handgun.

"The homeowner fully believed the bear was going after his dog," Ryan said.

Sikes Avenue is in a rural area, not far from the Little Georges Restaurant on Route 20, near the Westfield line.

Ryan did not know the breed of the dog but said it was quite small and that the homeowner affectionately referred to it as an "ankle-biter."

West Springfield police notified Environmental Police of the incident and that agency, given police findings, opted not to investigate.

Environmental police told the homeowner, however, that he could keep the bear for meat if he obtained a valid permit or tag for it the next day, Ryan said.

Ryan said the homeowner indicated that he would likely do so. "He said he knew how to (butcher the bear). He must have," Ryan said.