Careful out there

Published 9:28 pm Thursday, May 28, 2009

One or more bears have been spotted wandering around Everett at night. The bears are described as hairy and upward of 300 pounds. If you see one — or really, anyone matching that description — it’s probably best to steer clear.

It could be a coincidence, but the sightings did come pretty soon after about 1,000 bikers showed up for Snohomish’s canceled motorcycle rally.

In other bear news, a company has developed coolers that are resistant to grizzlies. If wildlife officials agree that they work, the coolers wouldn’t have to be hung 10 feet in the air, as food-storage rules now dictate.

The hope is that the bears will be frustrated by the coolers and move on to something easier — like your car or your tent. Most importantly, the beer will be safe.

Staying with wildlife, a cougar in a small Oregon town attacked a Chihuahua and a border terrier, but the two tiny dogs scared off the big cat by barking ferociously.

Police were puzzled that the dogs were able to escape unscathed. Usually, a cougar can only be scared off by talking about football.