Young bear killed breaking into CA home, officials say. Now neighbors are ‘distraught’
Wildlife lovers are “distraught” after a longtime South Lake Tahoe resident shot and killed a young bear, according to a bear conservation group.
Game wardens with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife investigated the incident Monday, May 27, and found the yearling bear had entered the home through a closed door in the backyard, according to spokesperson Peter Tira.
The homeowner tried to scare it out of the house by shouting, waving his arms and making noise, Tira told McClatchy News over the phone. The 75- to 85-pound bear didn’t back down and instead began huffing and approaching the homeowner’s dog, he said.
The man ran to his bedroom, grabbed his rifle and shot the bear twice in his living room, Tira said.
After it was shot, the bear ran from the house and climbed a tree — but wasn’t able to stay up there for very long before it fell, Tira said.
The homeowner realized the bear was suffering and killed it with a third shot outside the home, he said.
Game wardens corroborated the man’s story during the investigation and determined he was “in reasonable fear for his safety, the safety of his dog, and he acted reasonably” and therefore was not cited, Tira said.
“It’s an unfortunate situation but no wildlife crime was committed,” he said. “You are permitted to defend yourself should a wild animal enter your home.”
But several neighbors and wildlife advocates took issue with the department’s determination, according to the BEAR League.
The bear conservation nonprofit explained on Facebook that a “distraught” resident had called the league to report they had just seen their neighbor shoot and kill the young bear.
The resident’s story of the encounter doesn’t align with what the homeowner told game wardens, the BEAR League said in the Tuesday, May 28 post.
The nonprofit then elaborated in a follow-up post Wednesday, May 29.
“The Department of Fish and Wildlife quickly decided not to press charges, (citing) ‘self-defense,’” the league said. “This was an 80-pound yearling bear who, according to witnesses, briefly approached the man’s open door, didn’t enter inside but was killed anyway as he turned to run away.”
A neighbor also told CBS News he heard the first shot after the bear was already out of the home, the station reported.
The homeowner’s neighbors told the league the homeowner “had spoken for years of his hatred of bears and his … desire to kill them,” the league said in the post. “Based on their testimony it is abundantly clear to us that this man did not act in self-defense.”
Officials with the league said they are concerned the decision not to charge the homeowner will “only exacerbate Tahoe’s issues with human-bear conflict … by promoting unfounded fear and lethal tactics,” the group said.
Officials with the league shared photos of the young bear — two taken before its death and one taken after. In the first photo, the fuzzy yearling clings to a tree and looks toward the camera.
“In the photo you can clearly see how young and small the bear was just before his death. He probably barely weighed 100 pounds… still had his baby fur,” the league said. “Very very sad.”
Hundreds of people commented on the first post, and dozens commented on the second, most sharing their sadness or anger over the bear’s death.
“This is horrible. Not easy to read or move on from,” someone said in comments on the first post. “How could anyone do such a thing? I’m dumbfounded.”
What to do if you see a bear
Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.
There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.
Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.
Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.
Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.
Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.
Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.
Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.
Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.
Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.
Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.
Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.
This story was originally published May 30, 2024 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Young bear killed breaking into CA home, officials say. Now neighbors are ‘distraught’."
