ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Following a bear incident on Aug. 18 that injured a north Asheville resident, other residents are sharing their close encounters with a separate bear in the area.

(WLOS)

It’s something no one wants to see on their indoor home security camera: A bear. Whit Alexander was especially scared when she saw it because her pets were at home.

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“When I first saw the video, I saw two ears pop up here, and I heard barking in the video, so I thought it was my little 13-pound min pin,” said Alexander.

But Alexander was left scratching her head trying to figure out how her dog got up on the counter.

“And then once I realized, you know, that the snout came back out, and I saw it was a bear, full panic mode. I was just hoping that they both were safe. And I knew I needed to get home immediately.”

Alexander said when she got home, her dogs were OK, but the bear hadn’t left.

“I literally just kicked it. Like, ‘Go on, get, boy,’ you know?” said Alexander, referring to a barricade of drinks separating the bear from them, kicking the barricade.

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Now the family is no longer using the doggy door and keeping the dogs from going out the back door. Alexander says they were advised by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to put unwelcome mats on their back deck, which are slabs of plywood with nails sticking out.

AUG. 19, 2026 – AUG. 19, 2026 – Thishome security video provided by Whit Alexander shows a bear walking inside her residence. (Photo: Whit Alexander)

This isn’t an isolated incident. Alexander says that the bear has been active on this street. She said it’s crawled underneath the porch across the street from them, growled at a neighbor kid and just today, they got video of the bear crawling onto their next-door neighbor’s porch and getting into the dog treats.

“So, I got a pan, opened the door and just started banging and he took off,” said Kristen Zonnevylle, Alexander’s next-door neighbor.

According to BearWise, in August and September, many bears travel extensively throughout and even beyond their home ranges for berries and nuts. NCWRC is reminding the public to deter bears from homes and businesses by securing trash and pet food and removing birdfeeders when bears are active.

“We need to be vigilant about this because it’s only going to hurt the bears in the end. This is their home,” said Zonnevylle.

Alexander agreed.

“We need to come up with a plan for the community as to how to help us stay safe and also for the bears to stay safe,” said Alexander.