The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) says a bear found dead and mutilated in Highland Mills last week was struck and killed by a vehicle.

According to officials, the crash happened on Sept. 20 along Route 32 and Town of Cornwall police responded to the scene. It remains unclear if the driver reported the crash or if police fired a shot afterward.

DEC officials also confirmed that the bear’s paws were removed — an action they say appears to be illegal. Under state law, bear parts cannot be possessed without a permit. Violations can carry fines of up to $250.

After News 12's first report on this story, a Highland Mills resident contacted News 12 and shared a photo that she says shows the same bear crossing Route 32 in the days before it was killed.

The resident also provided photographs of the deceased animal’s mutilated body that she said she documented along the same stretch of road on Sept. 21, a day before others reported seeing it next to a blue dump truck.

The DEC is asking anyone with information about the case to call its 24-hour ECO tip line at 1-844-DEC-ECOS.