Sheila Brady and Peter Shannon were unpleasantly surprised to find a bear sitting in the passenger seat of their car on the morning of May 29. A mother bear had gotten into the car, presumably wanting to get her paws on a few gumdrops left in the middle console. She apparently didn't count on the door closing behind her, separating her from her two cubs. The crazed mother bear tore the interior to shreds trying to escape; airbags deployed, seats torn out, dashboard demolished.

After Brady and Shannon contacted police, a local passer-by opened the car door for the bear and made a run for it. The bear paused to survey the nearby humans before returning to her waiting cubs. Odds are, she'll think twice about climbing into another vehicle.

Bears are foraging for food this time of year. They like an easy meal and have an incredibly keen sense of smell. Anything appealing left in a vehicle is an invitation for a break-in. Dispose of all food, wrappers, drinks and cups and scented air fresheners in your vehicles. Local bears have learned how to open car doors, trash bins and will enter unsecured porches and garages. Bird feeders are a magnet for bears as well and should be put away for the summer months. Clean barbecue grills after use and store. If a bear finds an easy meal somewhere, they will continue to return. Above all, do not feed or attempt contact with wild animals.