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An Altadena homeowner, Ken Johnson, is preparing to sue the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after a large black bear took residence under his house. Johnson claims the bear has been living in the crawl space since just before Thanksgiving and has caused significant damage. Despite initial efforts by the department to trap the bear, they mistakenly captured a smaller one instead.
The department's attempts to use air horns and bait to remove the bear, known as Yellow 2120, have failed. Johnson expressed frustration, saying, "If I kept track of everything I tried, it would be Bear 14, Homeowner 0." He feels abandoned by the state, which has told him to stop using bait and to handle the situation himself.
Johnson has resorted to unconventional methods to drive the bear out, including playing loud dog barking sounds and using a makeshift alarm. However, the bear remains, and Johnson has had to shut off his gas due to damage, leaving him without hot water.
Legal analyst Alison Triessl told KTLA that Johnson may have grounds for a lawsuit, citing the department's responsibility to protect homeowners from public safety threats. If successful, Johnson could secure a court order for the bear's removal.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has not yet responded to requests for comment, but the situation highlights ongoing challenges with wildlife management in areas like Altadena, where bear sightings are common.