GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The Gatlinburg Police Department said officers were dispatched to the Super 8 Motel on Airport Road, for a call about a person who an animal had injured.
This was just after 12:30 a.m. EDT Sunday morning.
When officers arrived at the motel, they found a woman who had a cut on her leg. She told authorities it was from a bear.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency said the woman left her room and was scratched by a bear that was eating from a trashcan.
She was treated for her injuries and is expected to recover, police said.
The bear and her cubs broke into a car with a cracked window and food inside, according to GPD. The department tased the bears and they left.
TWRA said a similar attack happened on June 29th, when a man left his hotel room at 6:00 a.m. and was scratched by a bear eating out of a trashcan.
TWRA is urging the public not to leave food or trash in cars, and keep windows rolled up and doors locked.