Black bear eats backyard chickens in La Cañada Flintridge; more patrols sought
La Cañada Flintridge City Manager Mark Alexander on Friday said he has asked state wildlife officials to expand their presence locally due to a large number of bear sightings in the area.
A California black bear reportedly ate four backyard chickens last week at a home on Bonita Vista Drive and was photographed by a resident on Alta Canyada Road.
"After speaking with representatives from the Department of Fish and Game, we advised them that there is community concern in regard to the bear, and we're looking for ways the Department of Fish and Game can be more proactive to try to resolve this problem," Alexander said.
Andrew Hughan, spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Game, said the agency plans to continue its policy of not interfering with the bear unless it becomes aggressive toward people or otherwise poses an imminent threat to public safety.
-- Joe Piasecki, Glendale News-Press / Times Community News
Photo: A black bear in La Cañada Flintridge. Credit: For Glendale News-Press
EDITOR'S PICKS:
I think the bears need more patrols for humans encroaching on their territory...
Posted by: Hakatau | May 01, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Yeah, let's wait until it eats a child to do something about it.
Posted by: Marie Claire Reimer | May 01, 2011 at 02:49 PM
It has evolved to where humans are now secondary to animals. As soon as the bear is aggressive/maims/kills someone...the department will act.
Posted by: Frank | May 01, 2011 at 03:02 PM
"...the California Department of Fish and Game, said the agency plans to continue its policy of not interfering with the bear unless it becomes aggressive toward people..."
HUH???
Posted by: Greg Maragos | May 01, 2011 at 03:19 PM
HUNGRY BEARS DO NOT BELONG IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS>....duh! Why not just pick them up like you do a stray dog, but take them to an area where there is food and drop them off. What does it take to see the potential danger? They want to wait until they show signs of aggression towards humans? Translated...someone has to be attacked and eaten before they see this as a potential lethal problem? Who is asleep at the switch?
Posted by: margo | May 01, 2011 at 03:19 PM
Are telling us that people in La Canada are raising chickens in their back yards? I knew times were tough, but this is surprising, to say the least!
Posted by: maduceone | May 01, 2011 at 07:43 PM