Connecticut electrician Larry Joy said he came home to find the window of his Volkswagen Rabbit shattered and paw prints surrounding a pool of cooking oil on the ground from where the bear had gnawed through fuel hoses.

“I knew what it was after,” said Joy.

He uses a fuel made of diesel and vegetable oil from local restaurants in his car, starting with straight diesel and switching over to the biofuel mix when the engine is warm enough. At high temperatures, a savory smell is emitted by the car as the fuel is burned.

“My neighbour said it smells like cheeseburgers,” said Joy.

The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection suggested Joy place a balloon filled with water and ammonia and covered with cooking oil next to his car. This would act as a bait and a deterrent should the bear return.

Joy was philosophical about the incident.

“I think it’s cool that bears do whatever they want,” he said.