The North Shore saw its first bear killing of 2010 over the weekend when police were forced to kill a black bear last Friday after it raided several refrigerators and garbage's in a residential area in West Vancouver.

The bear was killed near Ottawa Avenue and 25th Street by West Vancouver police Const. Greg Trenholm.

WVPD spokesman Sgt. Scott Findlay said that killing a wild animal is absolutely the last resort but in this case the officer was left with no choice.

"You just don't know what the bear is going to do," Findlay said. "Conservation had already determined the bear dangerous so he was left with pretty much no alternative."

When the officer arrived at the scene Friday afternoon, he witnessed the bear attempting to enter an open window. Findlay said Trenholm had to act before the bear was able to enter the residence.

The 100-kilogram bear had a history of causing trouble on the North Shore. He was tagged and relocated two years ago when he was caught roaming in urban areas.

On Thursday, West Vancouver police were called to a residence in the 2400-block of Skilift Road and found the same bear inside the home's kitchen while three terrified occupants were present. When the officer arrived, he scared the bear off but was unable to track it.

The bear had invaded at least three residences and had been spotted on numerous properties over the past two weeks. He was seen eating brownies, waffles and cat-food among other things.

Findlay said that public safety is of paramount importance.

"This bear developed knowledge and he knew where the food was," Findlay said. "He often entered through the rear door, knowing where the kitchen often is."

Conservation uses a bear behaviour chart in which there are six levels of conflict. Once a bear reaches Level 6, where the bear is frequently feeding on non-natural foods and enters occupied buildings, officials are obligated to destroy the bear.

According to Tony Webb, spokesman for the North Shore Black Bear Network, bears such as this one have become addicted to garbage.

Webb said that people are the ones to blame for causing this addiction in bears. "We have to be situation aware," Webb said. "But sadly many people aren't."

Bears literally follow their noses and if people do not properly contain their garbage a bear is sure to sniff it out -- even if it is in a garage or shed.

Webb said that about 80 per cent of people comply with bear smart garbage disposal on the North Shore.

Using bear-resistant containers, double wrapping food waste, not placing garbage in outdoor sheds and garages, and waiting until the morning of garbage disposal to place garbage on the curbside are a few ways to ensure that the bears keep out Webb said.

"We need to learn to give bears our respect, not our garbage," Webb said.

lhowsam@nsnews.com