A late-night Ring alert in Pepper Pike turned out to be more than a stray cat. A black bear ambled up a driveway early Sunday, captured on a homeowner’s doorbell camera and giving neighbors in the usually sleepy suburb a serious double-take. The animal sauntered past a parked car, then slipped into a thin stand of trees by nearby townhomes and a busy strip mall.
Pepper Pike police shared the video on their Facebook page and urged residents to give the bear plenty of space and let it move along on its own, according to Cleveland.com. The department also reminded neighbors to lock down trash, bring pet food and bird feeders inside, and avoid approaching or feeding any wildlife.
The homeowner, Brian Gaines, told WOIO he was caught off guard to see a bear on his driveway. The station reported the sighting happened shortly before 12:30 a.m., and that Gaines passed the footage along to police.
Record sightings statewide
Across Ohio, black bear activity has been on the rise. The state logged a record 537 black bear reports in 2025, and wildlife officials say many of those animals are transient males roaming in from Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as summarized by Spectrum News 1. Sightings typically peak from late May through July, which lines up with the recent reports coming out of Northeast Ohio.
Cuyahoga County’s spotty bear history
Cleveland Metroparks reports there have been about 15 black bear sightings in Cuyahoga County since 1995, and says most encounters likely involve short-term visitors rather than a resident population. The agency notes that bears generally steer clear of people when they are left alone, and that cutting off food rewards is the best way to avoid trouble, that guidance appears on the Metroparks website.
How to bear-proof your yard
Police and wildlife experts say the first step is to remove anything that might tempt a hungry bear: store garbage in sturdy, secure containers, bring pet food and bird feeders indoors, and scrub grills after use. If you do run into a bear, stay calm, give it space, and back away slowly, and never try to feed it or move in for a close-up photo. If a bear poses an immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergency sightings, Pepper Pike Police asks residents to call 216-831-1424, per WOIO.
Anyone who captures photos or video is encouraged to keep the timestamps and share the material with police and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources so officials can track where the animals are moving. The ODNR maintains reporting guidance and a wildlife portal, as noted by Spectrum News 1.
