California Dog Stands Its Ground as a Black Bear Breaks Into Family Home
In a surreal moment caught on a home surveillance camera, a black bear entered a California home and came face to face with the family dog. As the dog barked defiantly, the bear remained unfazed—then helped itself to food before moving on to a neighbor’s freezer.
A Midnight Intruder in the Suburbs
The encounter took place in Monrovia, California, during the weekend of June 14–15, 2025. At around noon, a black bear entered a house through a window, wandering into the living room—where it was suddenly confronted by Doodle, the family's dog.
Security footage shows Doodle barking furiously at the massive intruder. But rather than retreating, the bear calmly sniffed the small dog before continuing its exploration of the house, entirely undisturbed.
The homeowner later told local media that her attempts to scare off the bear by shouting were also ignored. The bear eventually wandered off—but not before causing another commotion nearby.
Bacon, Pancetta, and Pizza: The Bear’s Next Stop
Shortly after leaving the first house, the bear entered a neighbor's home, where it reportedly opened the freezer—without damaging it—and made off with some pizza, pancetta, and bacon.
“I was banging pots and pans to get it out, but it wouldn’t leave,” the neighbor told reporters. “It just kept going through the fridge, like it was grocery shopping.”
Eventually, after hours of failed attempts—including from police officers—the bear was lured outside using ammonia-soaked rags, a trick often used to deter wild animals with their strong sense of smell.
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A Familiar Face in the Neighborhood
According to residents, this bear isn’t new to the area. One neighbor told NBC Los Angeles: “We’ve seen this bear many times. It’s gone into several homes on our street before.”
Living so close to the San Gabriel Mountains, locals say they’ve grown used to the occasional bear visit. “They were here before us,” one resident commented. “Thankfully, the ones we've seen have always been peaceful.”
Wildlife Officials Urge Caution
California wildlife authorities are reminding residents that summer is prime foraging season for black bears. As food becomes scarce in the wild, bears often venture into suburban areas where trash cans, pet food, and open windows offer easy meals.
They urge homeowners to lock doors and windows, secure trash bins, and never approach a wild animal, no matter how calm it may appear.
This latest close call between a dog and a bear may have ended safely, but officials warn that not every encounter is so lucky.
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