Bear trapped in B.C. garage attempted to claw its way out, RCMP say
An intruder caused quite a bit of damage to a garage in Port Coquitlam Thursday morning, according to local Mounties.
Coquitlam RCMP shared video of the uninvited guest – a black bear – attempting to bite and claw its way through the front wall of the building.
From the video, it's clear that the bear had made substantial progress, as six of the garage's vertical studs can be seen through the long, narrow hole the animal had created above the garage door.
Police told CTV News the call came in shortly after 6 a.m. in the area of Prairie Avenue and Coast Meridian Road.
"You never know what the day will bring," the RCMP post reads.
"Officers were able to help the furry intruder escape through a side door and back to living its best wild life."
Police are reminding the public that most bear sightings do not require police attendance, but should be reported to the BC Conservation Officer Service.
The exception is if a bear poses "an immediate threat to public safety," in which case it's appropriate to call 911 for a police response.
"If you see a bear that is going about its regular bear business, such as walking through your yard, trails, or open park spaces, don’t panic," the BC RCMP says on its website.
"Leave it alone and do not cut off its escape path. It is normal for bears to roam through urban areas, especially as development encroaches on wild space. Report the sighting to the COS."
Bears found feasting on human-produced attractants, such as garbage, barbecues, ripe fruit and bird feeders, should be reported to the conservation officer service's Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline at 877-952-7277.
"Dispatchers can provide advice for sightings when public safety is not threatened and a Conservation officer may be dispatched depending on the circumstances," police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
National ceremony in Ottawa marks Truth and Reconciliation Day
The smell of sage and sweetgrass floated in the air Monday over a mostly sombre ceremony to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and remember those who survived — and the thousands who didn't.
BREAKING Israeli military says 'limited' operation against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon has begun
Israel's widely expected ground invasion of Lebanon appeared to be getting underway early on Tuesday as its military said troops had begun 'limited' raids against Hezbollah targets in the border area.
Canada secures 800 plane seats to help its citizens get out of Lebanon
Ottawa must do more to help Canadian citizens leave Lebanon, says the son of a Canadian couple killed last week when an Israeli bomb hit their car in the country's south.
BREAKING Pete Rose, baseball's hits leader who was banned for life for betting on the game, dead at 83
Pete Rose, Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader who was banned from baseball for gambling on the game, has died at 83.
Dispute over cost of eradicating cockroaches in B.C. condo building settled by tribunal
A B.C. condo owner who was blamed for a cockroach infestation in her building and charged thousands of dollars for the cost of eradicating the bugs must be refunded, the civil resolution tribunal ruled.
Joly targets polarization in UN speech, urges liberals to reclaim the word 'freedom'
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is asking members of the United Nations to counter growing political polarization abroad while taking shots at Conservative rhetoric at home.
Health Canada recalls nearly 60 more unauthorized sexual enhancement products
Health Canada issued a recall last week for various sexual enhancement products for containing prescribed drugs like tadalafil and sildenafil.
TD Bank to pay more than US$28M in settlement for market manipulation
TD Bank Group has agreed to pay more than US$28 million after an investigation into manipulation of the U.S. Treasuries market by one of its traders.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeals for release while he awaits sex trafficking trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs is appealing a federal judge's decision to keep him in jail while he awaits trial on sex trafficking charges.