SIERRA MADRE (CNS) - A mama bear who scuffled with man and his dog while protecting her cub in Sierra Madre will be released back into the wild along with her young one, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today.
The encounter occurred about 2:30 p.m. Monday in the area of Hermosa and Carter avenues. The bear scratched the man and an investigation found she "was protecting her cub and not acting abnormally aggressive,'' according to a CDFW statement.
"The sow strayed onto the man's property, where the adult bear was challenged by the man's dog. The sow had a cub nearby. The dog reportedly engaged in a physical confrontation with the sow prompting the man to run into the fray to save his dog. He kicked the sow, which prompted it to scratch him.''
Neither the man nor the dog suffered serious injuries. A wildlife officer tranquilized both bears and removed them from the scene. They will released into suitable habitat near to where they were captured, according to the CDFW.
Tests showed the bear was not the same one involved in an attack on a sleeping 84-year-old man in the mountains above Sierra Madre on April 23, according to the agency.
In that case, the man reported he was attacked around 11:30 p.m. as he slept in the hills off Santa Anita Avenue. He told police that as he walked away from the bear, the animal followed him into a neighborhood, where he sought help.
The man suffered several cuts to his arms and head but was not seriously injured and did not require hospitalization.
