Mental treatment ordered for killer bear’s owner

Associated Press

A federal judge in Ohio has ordered mental health treatment for the owner of a bear that fatally mauled its caretaker.

A magistrate judge signed an order Friday in Cleveland tightening probation requirements for Sam Mazzola.

The type of treatment wasn’t outlined in court filings. Tim Highbaugh with the federal probation office says privacy rules bar disclosure of the treatment plan.

One of Mazzola’s bears killed the caretaker Aug. 19. Mazzola keeps bears, wolves, tigers and a lion at a compound in Columbia Station southwest of Cleveland.

Mazzola got probation after pleading guilty last year to transporting a black bear without a license and selling a skunk without a license.

Mazzola’s attorney didn’t immediately return a message Monday seeking comment.