Woman Attacked by Bear While Walking Dog in California

The woman suffered minor injuries but is expected to recover.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:21pm

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A woman walking her dog in a California foothill neighborhood of Monrovia was attacked by a bear on Saturday morning. The bear swiped at the woman's leg, causing non-life-threatening injuries. The woman was able to safely leave the area and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Why it matters

Bear sightings are not uncommon in foothill communities across the San Gabriel Valley, where neighborhoods border wildlife habitat. This incident highlights the potential dangers residents face when living in close proximity to wild animals like bears.

The details

The incident happened around 9:20 a.m. on Saturday in Monrovia. The woman was walking her dog near the foothills when she was approached by the bear. During the encounter, the bear swiped its claw and made contact with the back of the woman's knee, causing minor injuries. The woman was able to safely leave the area and a nearby resident called 911. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.

  • The incident occurred around 9:20 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Monrovia Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the bear attack incident.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The state agency that was notified and responded to the scene to investigate the bear attack.

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What’s next

Wildlife officials are still in the area investigating the incident and providing updates as new information becomes available.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for residents in foothill communities to be cautious and aware of their surroundings when spending time outdoors, as encounters with wild animals like bears can happen unexpectedly.