Woman struggles to keep bear out of car after it opens the door on its own

The bear approached the woman’s car and opened the door before the woman knew what was happening.

“Thankfully, she was able to secure herself in her vehicle after the bear opened the car door and fought to shut it from inside,” Narragansett animal control officials said on social media.

The agency posted photos of the bear, one of which shows the animal’s head at the window of the woman’s car on the passenger side.

Even though bears can appear cute and cuddly, officials are warning people to avoid them at all costs.

“Black bears can run as fast as 30 mph,” officials said.

“Yes, ‘it’s cool,’ but it is a bear, a wild animal. If sighted, please secure yourself as quickly as possible.”

There have been several other bear sightings and encounters in Rhode Island this year.