A woman in the Lake James community in North Carolina claims she recently had a close encounter with a black bear.
Kristen Jones said the bear came up and sniffed her while she wasn’t looking, and licked her before walking away.
Jones said that she was sitting next to the water with her ear buds in when she felt something sniff at her neck and then lick the bottom part of her ear.
Thinking it was her neighbor's dog, she said she reached up with her right arm to hug the animal, and startled it.
As she turned to look at it and say hello she realized it was a bear.
Jones said the animal had already turned away and started up the hill before she was able to snap off some photos and shoot a quick video.
In a Facebook comment, Jones said "I realize many of you find this untrue. Honestly, I don't care. I've never been more scared in my life or felt more vulnerable and pray I never experience anything like that again."
After calling neighbors, Jones said the same bear apparently has been spotted in the area over the last 48 hours in people's trash cans and on their decks.
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