(KTLA) — An elderly couple suffered minor injuries earlier this week when a bear got inside their home in Stateline, Nevada, near South Lake Tahoe, wildlife officials announced.
In the Nov. 19 incident, according to a news release from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, an 87-year-old man unexpectedly encountered the bear at around 4:30 a.m. in his garage.
The animal, officials said, was looking for food, and when the man backed away, the bear scratched his hand and followed him inside the house.
It’s unclear just how long the bear was in the couple’s home or if it did any damage, but at one point, department officials said the animal also scratched the 87-year-old female homeowner before eventually leaving the house.
“Both individuals were treated by medical personnel and released from the hospital,” the release noted.
Officials warned residents in the area that bears are currently experiencing a phase known as hyperphagia, where they are building up as many calories as possible before going into their dens and hibernating for the winter.
“We are grateful that the individuals sustained minor injuries and are okay,” NDOW Game Division Administrator Shawn Espinosa said. “To ensure bears make it to their dens, it is important that residents secure attractants.”
Officials urged residents to secure their garbage with bear-resistant garbage cans, as well as remove pet food, bird seed, bird feeders and clean outdoor grills thoroughly so as not to attract hungry bears. Trash and other food items should not be left in cars either.
All doors and windows should be secured when the house is unoccupied.
If a bear does appear near homes, making noise like banging pots and pans or setting off a car alarm can scare the animals away, as well as loudly yelling, “Get out of here, bear!” which also has the added benefit of alerting anyone within earshot that there is a bear in the vicinity.
Additional safety tips for bear encounters can be found by following this link.