La Pine woman spots bear on front porch

A La Pine woman was startled Tuesday night to spot a black bear on her front porch, eating cat food. Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies were called in and didn’t find the animal, but said they did find a bear print on the porch, near the cat food dish.

Sharon Davis and another neighbor near the intersection of Dorrance Meadow Road and Rim Drive said they suspected a bear may have knocked over trash cans along Rim Drive on Tuesday morning, though there were no sightings, said sheriff’s Sgt. Dan Bilyeu.

Bilyeu said the information was “provided to remind residents in this area and many similar residential areas near forest lands that wildlife … (including) bears and mountain lions may also be frequenting the area.”

“Pets should be secured inside, where and when possible, and pet food should not be left out or easily accessible to wildlife,” the sergeant wrote.

“Many residents of Deschutes County live in places where frequent or occasional contact with wildlife is a fact of life, especially with cooler temperatures on the way,” Bilyeu continued. “We ask that you respect their space and not approach or feed them. When someone suspects an animal is becoming a problem or threat to safety, report it immediately.”

Here’s more info from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on Living with Black Bears.