Overview
- A large bear entered a Harlan County mobile home through an open front door, shattered a thick glass table and ate leftover KFC while the resident slept.
- The resident’s sister woke and later saw the bear leaving the property, and the resident says she slept through the break-in.
- Two days after the break-in the resident reported seeing a smaller bear on her porch, which increased her fear and led her to keep doors closed at night despite no air conditioning.
- Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Bear Program Coordinator John Hast said outdoor food sources such as pet food and exposed garbage are the main drivers of these encounters and advised securing all attractants.
- No capture or removal has been reported so far, and officials and neighbors warn that property damage and safety risks rise when homes or yards provide easy food access.