A 550-pound black bear has finally been removed from a California home after the owner threatened to take legal action following several failed attempts to get the animal relocated.
For most people, an unwanted houseguest might be a spider or a fly — annoying, but easy to deal with. For homeowner Kenneth Johnson, it was far more serious. Since Thanksgiving, a massive black bear had been living beneath his house, repeatedly refusing to leave despite efforts to scare it away or move it.
By the end of 2025, Johnson said he had enough. He warned the California Department of Fish and Wildlife of possible legal action, accusing the agency of negligence and emotional distress after multiple unsuccessful removal attempts.
In early 2026, the situation finally changed. On January 6, the bear was safely removed from under the home by BEAR League, a wildlife rescue organization. KTLA reported that the operation took just about 10 minutes.
“I’m relieved — no more banging under the house, no more worrying about what’s going on down there,” Johnson said. He added that he was shocked by how quickly the team managed to get the bear out.
According to Johnson, the bear tried to return two days later but ran off after encountering a new security measure — an electrified mat placed at the entrance.
The homeowner also revealed that the bear caused serious damage, including a ruptured gas line. While it’s unclear if the animal will attempt to come back or if Johnson will pursue compensation, for now, he’s finally free of his unexpected tenant.