The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER—Police in West Vancouver have released photos of a car they believe was torn apart by a black bear over the weekend.
The photos show the rear passenger door of the car ripped back, its frame bent, side airbags trashed, and seats shredded.
The attack was reported yesterday at a home in the upscale British Properties, and officers estimate damage at about $10,000.
Cst. Jeff Palmer said police found hair and claw marks at the scene, and are certain a black bear sniffed out a large amount of food that was left in the sedan overnight.
The neighbourhood backs onto the forests of the North Shore mountains and Palmer said it’s not the first time vehicles in the area have been damaged by bears intent on grabbing a snack.
He noted bears remember where plentiful meals were found and the car owner has been warned to keep any other vehicles scrupulously clean to avoid further attacks.
“Bears are very, very powerful animals and, especially when they are hungry and motivated for a meal, a car window, door, that sort of thing, is really not much of an obstacle for a bear,” Palmer said.
