Update 12:46 p.m.
Police provided this update shortly after noon:
"The bear was pushed south by Law Enforcement and it crossed the interstate safely. The bear (flash bang) has been pushed outside of city limits and is no longer a nusiance to the community. BPD would like to thank YCSO and MHP for helping to safely resolve this furry issue."
______________________________________________
Update 12:21 p.m.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman Chrissy Webb provided this statement:
We are aware that the young black bear is in town. As of now, we have not received reports of the bear acting aggressive or getting into attractants, and we hope it stays that way! Biggest thing is for folks to not approach the bear and give it plenty of space. We also don’t want the bear to access attractants (garbage, human food, pet food, etc) as that will encourage him to stay in town.
____________________________________________
Update 12:02 p.m.
Billings police said state wildlife officials have been notified of the bear within the city limits.
"FWP was contacted about the bear," police said on social media. "They will not come out until the bear becomes a nuisance (becomes aggressive, gets into garbage). Please stay vigilant and do not approach the bear. Please report if the bear is being a nusiance."
___________________________________________
(Original Report)
BILLINGS - The Billings Police Department was investigating reports of a black bear "roaming the Southside" on Monday morning.
Police said in a social media post shortly after 10 a.m. that the bear sightings were reported around King Avenue East and Jackson Street.
Officers were "actively checking the area," the post states, and residents were asked to call dispatch at 406-657-8460 with additional sightings. Police warned residents not to approach a bear if spotted.
A Billings woman said she was "shocked" to see the bear near her house.
Barb Freier was walking in her neighborhood when she saw the bear. At first, she thought the animal was a dog, but quickly realized it was a bear.
She has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years and said this was her first bear sighting.
"He was coming up the street over here - on Kings Green - and turned, came down in front of my house, but I was behind him and he wasn't worried about me," she said. "He was just going where he was going."
Billings resident Lovan Plain Bull sent these pictures of the bear near Bunting Street:
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
