A Saturday morning dog walk in Monrovia’s foothills turned tense when a bear wandered up to a woman and swiped at her, striking the back of her knee. She managed to get away and was taken to a nearby hospital with what authorities described as minor injuries. A neighbor reported the encounter, which now joins a growing list of recent wildlife run-ins in the area.
What officials say
According to the Monrovia Police Department, the woman was out with her dog at about 9:20 a.m. when a bear approached and “swiped its claw,” hitting the back of her knee. She fled the area, and a neighbor called the police. The woman was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered serious, and Monrovia PD contacted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, according to CBS News Los Angeles.
Official response and safety advice
Monrovia police are using the latest encounter as another reminder that bears in foothill neighborhoods are not exactly rare. Residents are urged to stay calm if they see a bear, avoid running, and slowly back away while giving the animal plenty of room. The city also provides practical steps for bear‑proofing homes and yards, including securing garbage and removing outdoor attractants to reduce conflicts. Detailed guidance is available from the Monrovia Police Department.
Why Monrovia keeps seeing bears
Monrovia backs right up against the Angeles National Forest, which means bears routinely wander into nearby neighborhoods in search of easy food. Officials say that when bears learn they can find meals in trash cans or around homes, the odds of crossing paths with people go up. Hoodline has previously documented bold bears rummaging through homes and trash in Monrovia, a pattern that authorities say heightens the risk of human‑wildlife encounters.
How to stay safe
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife urges anyone facing an immediate threat to call 9‑1‑1 and to report non‑emergency wildlife encounters through its Wildlife Incident Reporting system. CDFW and BearWise advise people to make themselves appear large, speak in a firm voice, back away slowly, and remove common attractants like unsecured trash, grills, and pet food to avoid habituating bears to human spaces. California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Monrovia PD said it had contacted wildlife officials and asked residents to report any bear sightings, and CBS News reported the outlet reached out to the Department of Fish and Wildlife but had not received a response. Officials maintain that locking down attractants and calling in sightings as soon as they happen are still the best tools residents have to reduce future encounters.
