A Southern California girl narrowly averted severe damage after a bear swiped at her whereas she was strolling her canine within the foothills of Monrovia early Saturday morning.
The startling encounter occurred round 9:15 a.m. on Oakglade Drive, the place the animal approached her and slashed behind her knee earlier than she managed to flee the scene along with her canine, ABC reported.
The lady was taken to a native hospital with accidents that weren’t thought-about life-threatening, based on police.
The scary run-in unfolded in a quiet neighborhood close to the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Officers with the Monrovia Police Division mentioned the lady had been out strolling her canine when the bear all of the sudden approached and struck with its claw.
Regardless of the scare, each the lady and the pet managed to flee the animal and get to security. Somebody dwelling close by referred to as 911, and emergency crews shortly arrived to help the sufferer.
Simply hours after the assault, neighbors reported seeing two bears lingering across the identical neighborhood — together with one which gave the impression to be sheltering beneath a close-by dwelling.
Video from the realm confirmed one of many animals darting away from the property whereas avoiding a lure set by the California Division of Fish and Wildlife.
The incident left some residents shaken, although many mentioned encounters with bears will not be uncommon within the space.
“Slightly shocked. I’ve lived right here now since 2020, and we’ve by no means had an incident the place a bear has attacked an individual on this space,” mentioned neighbor Robert.
One other resident, Julie Strople, mentioned she had seen a bear simply minutes earlier than the lady was injured whereas strolling her personal canine, Fred.
“The bear was like actually two ft from the place you’re standing, and I mentioned, ‘Mama bear, go.’ She checked out me, and she or he walked away,” Strople mentioned.
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A number of neighbors mentioned bears have been noticed wandering by means of yards in current days.
Resident Isaiah Barrocas even managed to snap a photograph of 1 roaming by means of his yard.
“I type of needed to go on the market and provides it an enormous hug,” he mentioned.
His neighbor Amy Barrocas urged warning when encountering wildlife.
“You simply should watch out whenever you see a bear. You possibly can’t come as much as it and pet it,” she mentioned.
Wildlife officers later positioned a bear lure exterior a close-by dwelling after the house owner reported that one of many animals had been dwelling beneath the home for roughly two months. The resident additionally mentioned the bear had torn by means of the material protecting his automotive.
Officers haven’t confirmed whether or not the bear concerned in Saturday’s assault is similar one which neighbors say has been roaming the realm.
Regardless of the shut name, many longtime residents mentioned they nonetheless really feel secure dwelling alongside the wildlife that frequents the foothill group.
“We’re very used to the bears. We even joke that they’ve names,” Robert mentioned.
Authorities are reminding the general public to stay calm in the event that they encounter a bear. Officers advise individuals to not run and as a substitute slowly again away whereas giving the animal loads of house.
