Woman narrowly escapes death after being attacked by a bear at her suburban Los Angeles home
A Southern California woman narrowly escaped serious injury after a bear attacked her while she was walking her dog in the Monrovia foothills early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. on Oakglade Drive. According to authorities, the bear lunged at the woman and swiped at the back of her knee before she was able to retreat with her dog to safety, ABC reported.
Police confirmed that the woman was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The encounter took place in a normally quiet neighborhood at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Monrovia police said the woman was walking her dog when the bear suddenly approached and struck her with its claw. Despite the terrifying moment, both the woman and her pet escaped unharmed. A nearby resident called 911, and emergency responders arrived quickly to assist.
Just hours after the attack, residents reported seeing two bears in the area, including one that appeared to be taking shelter beneath a nearby home. Video captured by neighbors showed one of the bears fleeing the property while avoiding a trap set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
While the encounter left some neighbors shaken, sightings of bears are not unusual in the community. “A little shocked. I’ve lived here since 2020, and we’ve never had a bear attack someone in the neighborhood,” said resident Robert.
Another resident, Julie Strople, described seeing a bear shortly before the woman’s injury while she was walking her dog, Fred. “The bear was literally two feet away. I told her, ‘Mama bear, go,’ and she walked off,” Strople said. Several other neighbors noted that bears have been roaming yards in recent days.
Isaiah Barrocas, a local resident, even photographed a bear wandering through his backyard. “I kind of wanted to go out there and give it a big hug,” he said. His neighbor, Amy Barrocas, stressed the need for caution around wildlife. “You just have to be careful when you see a bear. You can’t approach it,” she said.
Wildlife officials later set a trap outside a home after the homeowner reported that a bear had been living under the property for roughly two months and had even damaged the fabric covering his car. It is not yet confirmed whether this bear was the same one involved in Saturday’s attack.
Despite the close call, many residents said they continue to feel safe living alongside the wildlife that frequents the foothill community. “We’re very used to the bears. We even joke that they have names,” Robert said.
Authorities are reminding the public to stay calm if they encounter a bear. People are advised not to run but to slowly back away while giving the animal plenty of space.
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