FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - A hungry black bear has been making house calls near Frederick.

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Residents of homes on Mount Phillip and Carpenter roads just west of the city say they saw the animal licking grease off a grill and eating berries in a backyard in the past week.

Teresa Liddie told The Frederick News-Post on Tuesday that she initially mistook the bear for her daughter's black dog when she saw it near the side door of her house.

Liddie says she has taken the precaution of moving her pets indoors.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says western Maryland is home to hundreds of black bears. The agency is conducting a population study to get a better idea of their numbers.

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Information from: http://www.fredericknewspost.com