After Trapping Himself in Car, Bear Goes on a Tear

A Juneau family's unlocked Subaru turned into an accidental bear trap—and a total loss. Around 12:30am Monday, a neighbor heard a horn blaring and spotted a black bear inside the vehicle, sitting on the horn, and called 911, per KTUU. Juneau police woke the owners to get the keys to the vehicle, the New York Post reports, but the animal had torn out wiring, reportedly making the keys useless.

Officers ultimately used a rope to yank a door open, freeing the bear within about 10 minutes; it bolted away unharmed. The same animal apparently got inside two other cars that night but only got stuck in the Subaru, which owner Michael Wilson later filmed with its seats, panels, and wiring shredded. The bear even bent a metal door, he tells KTUU. With only liability insurance, the family says the damage won't be covered. Wilson's advice is simple: lock your car and never leave food inside.