A California homeowner says he has reached a breaking point after months of unsuccessful attempts to remove a large bear living beneath his house.
Altadena resident Kenneth Johnson is now threatening legal action against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, alleging negligence and emotional distress after the agency allegedly reduced its involvement in dealing with a 550-pound bear occupying his crawlspace. Johnson claims the bear is known to wildlife officials and was previously tagged, yet continues to return.
“This has gone on long enough,” Johnson said, adding that officials had handled the bear before but chose not to euthanize it. “Now it’s back, and it’s just going to keep happening.”
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife rejected claims that it abandoned the case, stating it has remained actively involved despite limited staffing. The agency said biologists have stayed in constant contact with the homeowner, set baited traps, installed cameras and lights for monitoring, and repeatedly attempted to haze the bear away. Officials also stressed that securing the crawlspace is essential to prevent the animal’s return.
Johnson first noticed signs of damage around his home earlier this year and later confirmed the bear’s presence through security camera footage showing the animal entering the crawlspace. While he does not believe the bear is aggressive, he says its presence has made daily life in the home deeply uncomfortable.
Attempts to capture the bear in December were unsuccessful, with officials instead trapping a different animal.