Wildlife officers had little choice but to kill an injured male black bear near the Letcher-Harlan County line Sunday.

According to a statement from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the 350-pound bear had a large cut on its right paw, which caused the animal to become aggressive.

When wildlife officials approached, the animal could barely stand or walk.

After considering all the factors, Sgt. Doug Vaughn, of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, said the decision to kill the bear was made.

"We had to make a decision based on the severity of the injury and the well-being of the neighborhood," Vaughn said.

"Ordinarily, we don't like the idea of having to put a bear down, but in this case, it was within 50 yards of one house, there were women and children present very close by and even more houses a few hundred yards away."

Because of the its injury and the proximity of homes, Vaughn said the decision was made to end the bear's life.

"If the bear had tried to move with its injury and fallen down the hill, it was going to end up on somebody's front porch, and perhaps endanger someone ..." Vaughn said. "We decided to not leave the bear suffering in that shape and with so many houses in every direction."

Vaughn and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Officer Homer Pigman collected the bear, which will be sent for necropsy by the diagnostics lab at the University of Kentucky.

Wildlife officials hope to clarify further the animal's injuries.

As the black bear population slowly grows in eastern Kentucky, people are reminded bears are wild and potentially dangerous animals. Feeding wild bears is a crime in the state

The black bear's annual mating season lasts from June through July.