MANCHESTER, KY (October 29, 2020) - A mischievous bear has returned a 2nd time within a week to scavenge for food in the garbage cans of two Curry Branch Road residences.
The bear was first spotted around midnight on Friday, October 23, 2020.
Sherri Peracchio of Curry Branch Road said "My son was the first to see it knock over one can, so he got his brother and then they woke me up."
Apparently the bear was then scared off by dogs in the neighborhood or passing traffic but not before leaving a huge mess to be cleaned up by the homeowners.
On Wednesday morning October 28, 2020 (Not Tuesday as Ronnie mistakenly refered to in the video) the scavenger returned a 2nd time but on this occasion it got a surprise of it's own.
The bear was so intent on digging through the 2 garbage cans it had already opened that an approaching passerby went unnoticed.
NOTE: The inset bear photo is a stock image. There have now been 4 eyewitnesses to the actual Curry Branch bear but no one has been able to get a photo as of yet.
The passerby, Charlie Benge aka "Charlie Bill" recounts his encounter with the bear in the following video. "I scared the Hell out of it!" said Charlie.
Related article: Unexpected & Unwelcome Midnight Visitor leaves Neighborhood on a Rural Road in Clay County, Ky. Uneasy
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From the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife
If You Encounter a Bear
While black bears can be tolerant of people, they should always be treated as the wild animals they are, whether in a residential or backcountry area. Black bears are rarely aggressive towards people and typically go out of their way to avoid contact. As human development continues and bear numbers increase, however, interactions will be unavoidable.
Following these simple guidelines will minimize any unnecessary and potentially dangerous encounters.
- Never approach a bear!
- Black bears are extremely powerful animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable.
- Black bears are very curious animals and this should not be confused with aggression.
- If a bear approaches you in the wild, it is likely only trying to assess your presence.
- Bears will often stand upright to obtain a better sense of smell.
- If you see a black bear from a distance, alter your route of travel.
- When camping in bear country, keep all food stored in a vehicle or away from tents.
- If approached by a bear- stand your ground, raise your arms to appear larger, and yell until it leaves the area.
- Never run from a bear! This will often trigger its natural instinct to chase.
- If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively and do not play dead!
If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, “pop” their jaws, or “huff” as a warning. If you see those behaviors you are too close! Slowly back away while facing the bear at all times. Notify the KDFWR immediately if you witness aggressive behavior by black bears!
