Saturday, Oct. 17 between 8:30-9 p.m. our dogs that stay on our front porch starting barking. Really barking. The bear was at the porch gate growling at my 2 shelties, loudly. We saw it next out back near our garbage cans and husband walked toward it with a spot light. It didn't move.

It finally just walked away but not too far. ......

We live at the end of Foster Lane off of Poor Mountain Road in West Roanoke County.

-- Sandy Cooper

If you've seen a bear in or around Salem, let us know at news@sosalem.com.