Judge in Cleveland orders mental treatment for owner of bear that killed caretaker

Mental treatment ordered for killer bear’s owner

CLEVELAND — 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, and Mazzola’s attorney didn’t immediately return a message Monday seeking comment.

One of Mazzola’s bears attacked and 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.