North Clinton got an uninvited, four-legged visitor on Wednesday evening when a bear was spotted roaming the area, prompting police to put neighbors on alert. Residents were urged to keep their distance, keep a close eye on pets, and absolutely not try to approach the animal. Officers stressed that running can trigger a chase and asked anyone who sees the bear to report it so authorities can track where it is headed.
Police advisory and how to report
The Clinton Police Department posted a “Public Awareness Notice” on Facebook Wednesday evening, laying out what to do if you cross paths with the bear, according to the Clinton Police Department. The notice directs non-emergency bear sightings to the department’s records line at 865-457-3112 and reminds residents that 911 is still the number to call for any immediate, life-threatening situation.
The same phone number and the department’s station address at 125 West Broad St appear on the city’s official police page, which lists contact options for reporting and records, according to the City of Clinton. The Facebook post did not indicate whether the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency or animal-control units had been dispatched to the north Clinton neighborhood…