The paw was found near a home on Breezewood Lake Drive and the homeowners reported it to police, Faustino said, adding that the family dog may have brought it from a nearby wooded area.

Unsure what he had on his hands, Faustino described the paw Wednesday as "smaller ... like a kind of fleshy hand."

The paw was taken to Trumbull County's forensic pathologist Wednesday morning, and X-rays showed conclusively that it was from a 12-year-old bear, Faustino said.

A small black bear was seen last spring about a mile east of that area, near state Route 82 and South Albright McKay Road, the chief said.