Bear-proof garbage cans for rent in Montana town

[October 16, 2010]  MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) -- Missoula's residential garbage service has ordered some extra-tough garbage containers in an effort to discourage trash-hunting bears on the Montana city's outskirts.

The Missoulian reports Allied Waste will rent out the bear-proof garbage cans for $10 a month.

Black bears have been prowling the streets and alleys since early September, when apples and other fruit started ripening.

City law prohibits storing garbage in any way that makes it accessible to bears in the so-called "bear buffer zone" mostly on the eastern and southern perimeters of the city.

Garbage must be in a bear-proof container or it can't be put out until after 5 a.m. on garbage day.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com/

[Associated Press]

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