LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Lenoir City residents might tell you they are not used to seeing bears in Loudon County. At least that's how several felt Sunday night in neighborhoods near the Allenbrook subdivision.

"It was a little scary. We first saw it from less than half a mile away. I had the thought wow that's a big dog," resident Amanda Green said.

Green said she spotted the bear with her husband early Sunday morning. Later in the night, another resident David Cook spotted the bear on Norwood Street. Loudon County dispatch said the Lenoir City Police Department then notified the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency of the bear's whereabouts.

TWRA's Anthony Chitwood said Monday the bear appears to be a young male, about 150 pounds, and is likely just passing through.

"He's on the move," Chitwood said. "He doesn't want to be around humans."

TWRA said as long as the bear keeps moving and doesn't pose a threat to people, they will leave it alone.

"Typically young male bears that are dispersing are looking for their own home range," Chitwood said. "We have bears on the plateau and the Smoky Mountains; down here in the valley it is a little out of the ordinary, but happens every year around this time."

Bear sightings were reported in Harrison Glen area, around Allenbrook and Hotchkiss Valley Road. TWRA said residents should report bear sightings and take precaution in the area by taking down bird feeders and clearing any garbage.

Chitwood said he's only removed three bears from Loudon County during his entire career. Green said from now on she will keep an extra eye out in Lenoir City.

"I will not let my little dog out without a leash," Green said. "And my niece, she will no longer walk up and down the driveway by herself."