Who knew Trelawne Avenue was deep in Bear Country?

Erin Harris first suspected bears were in the area of her centrally-located home after her garbage was found scattered next to her house Monday night.

The next night her husband heard a noise and looked out the back door.

“He heard a bang and there was a bear right there,” Harris said.

The young family lives on Trelawne Avenue, near the bottom of Bruce Street hill.

Harris suspects the bears live in the wooded area behind the former St. Basil Secondary School and come into the neighbourhood looking for food.

She said a neighbour saw two bears on their front lawn this week, as well.

“Some people on the street didn’t even know. There’s a lot of kids in the neighbourhood and with Halloween coming up that’s kind of scary,” said Harris.

Harris said police have been called but have said there wasn’t much they could do about the bears.

A spokesperson for Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said a patrol car is usually dispatched for bear calls, but often the bears are no longer there once they arrive.

He noted a black bear was shot yesterday on Highway 17 near Fifth Line.

The bear had been hit by a transport truck and was injured.

Harris said she wanted people to be aware of the bears near Trelawne Avenue, especially those who walk in the wooded area with their dogs.

“Maybe put your garbage in the garage if you can,” she added.

(FILE PHOTO: Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)