Real Bear Walks Out With Stuffed Bear

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) - A black bear walked into a New Hampshire house through an open door, ate two pears and a bunch of grapes, took a drink from the family fishbowl and grabbed a stuffed bear on its way out the door.

Mary Beth Parkinson says the bear apparently took advantage of the open outside door to get into her kitchen Tuesday in Laconia, about 20 miles north of Concord. She thinks the garage door going up scared the bear enough that it fled the house.

She says she arrived in time to save the fish.

Parkinson said her 6- and 9-year-old boys made sure the doors were locked before they went to bed.

Black Bear Spotted in Owings Mills, Maryland

(Enlarge) Baltimore County Police say a small black bear has been spotted in neighborhoods in the Owings Mills area, and are asking residents to keep trash cans covered and call police if they see the bear. (Baltimore County Police photo)

County police are warning Owings Mills residents to be on the look out for a small black bear that has been seen wandering around the area over the last two days.

Lt. Robert McCullough said the bear, thought to weigh about 50 pounds, has been seen in the area of Bond Avenue and Timber Grove Road. It was most recently seen Thursday morning in the 900 block of Timber Run Road.

“This is the time of year when bears become more active and venture out, looking for a free meal,” McCullough said.

Police do not believe the bear poses a public safety hazard.

“When they see people, they typically run away,’ McCullough said.

Police are asking residents to not feed or approach the animal and to make sure all food sources and trash containers are secured inside yards or other enclosed areas.

Police ask anyone seeing the bear to call 911 or the county animal control agency at 410-887-5961.

www.baltimoresun.com