Panhandle teen mauled in bear attack

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) – A 15-year-old Panhandle girl is recovering in a hospital after being attacked by a bear.

Sherry Mann told Panama City television station WMBB (http://bit.ly/1t154WN ) that her daughter sustained significant injuries to her legs, back, neck and face.

Mann says the attack happened when the girl was walking her dog behind a supermarket in Eastpoint, which is east of Panama City in Franklin County. She says the bear released the girl after the dog lunged at it.

Leah Reeder is expected to undergo surgery. Her mother says the most significant injuries are to her face.

It was the third bear attack in the region this year.