NEWS

Bear enters house in Beaverdam, leaves on its own

Beth Walton
bwalton@citizen-times.com

ASHEVILLE – A Beaverdam resident was at home on Gibson Road when a bear crawled through an open window Tuesday evening.

The person called 911, but once authorities arrived, the 150-pound animal had already left the residence. No one was hurt.

The suspicion is that the bear pushed through a screen to get inside, said Kelley Klope, spokeswoman for the Asheville Fire Department. The animal exited the house the same way it got in, she said.

"The bear got out on his own and was walking around the house when we arrived," Klope added. "We just monitored the situation and then he wandered off."

AFD and Reems Creek Fire Department in Weaverville both responded to the call.

Tuesday was a strange day for animals in Buncombe County. A report was also made that a 50-pound turtle was trying to cross Long Shoals Road. Animal control for the city of Asheville responded. The turtle was never found.