MUSKOKA LAKES, ON- A pair of cottagers had a surprise visitor this morning.
According to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRF), the Bracebridge OPP responded to a call of a bear that broke into a cottage in the Township of Muskoka Lakes this morning.
The cottage is reportedly located along Hamill’s Point Road, which is near Foot’s Bay.
The young bear had gotten into the cottage via a kitchen window, which closed behind it. Once the window was shut, the bear couldn’t get out of the home.
The elderly homeowner heard noise in the kitchen from the bear, and when her husband went to look he was confronted by a startled, young bear.
He was scratched, and suffered a thumb injury before his wife held the door open and the bear got out. He was treated at hospital and released, and will be getting rabies shots as a precaution.
Bear Technicians arrived on site later in the morning and interviewed the homeowners, and conducted outreach education by going door to door in the neighbourhood providing bear safe messaging and who to call in case of another occurrence.
Call 911 or local police if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour. Police will respond first to an emergency situation, but may request assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
For non-emergencies, call the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.