Bear enters home in western North Carolina and attacks resident, officials say
A black bear walked through the door of a home in western North Carolina and attacked one of the residents, witnesses say.
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It happened around 9 p.m. Tuesday near Asheville, and the victim was taken to a hospital, according to Fire Chief Justin Lucia of the Reems Creek Fire Department. Details of the person’s injuries were not released.
“According to the initial report, a bear had entered a residence and reportedly made contact with an occupant before leaving. … It appeared that a bear may have opened the exterior door and entered the residence,” Lucia told The Charlotte Observer.
“The occupant reportedly encountered the bear as it exited the home, with the bear possibly swatting at the occupant on its way outside.”
Buncombe County EMS personnel evaluated the person at the scene, then took the individual to a hospital “for further evaluation,” he said.
As a precaution, fire crews sounded their apparatus siren in an attempt to scare away any bears near the home. The bear involved in the incident was not seen by responding firefighters, officials said.
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Reems Creek Fire Department is based in Weaverville, and provides fire coverage in the area of the attack “through a contract with the Asheville Fire Department,” Lucia said.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission was notified of the incident, and responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, officials said.
Black bears are native to North Carolina and are a common sight in western North Carolina. The predators are known to search for food in trash bins and have learned to open parked vehicles if they smell food inside, experts say.
“Fire officials remind residents in areas where bears are active to exercise caution and avoid approaching or attempting to interact with bears,” Lucia said.
“Residents should also secure potential food sources, garbage, pet food, and other attractants, and make sure doors and windows are properly secured.”
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Asheville is about a 130-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.
