Rare But Not Unprecedented, Bear Attacked and Killed Pasadena Family’s Pet As Horrified Homeowner Watched

A large black bear which garnered headlines and TV helicopter airtime last May 23 as it ambled around Hastings Ranch neighborhoods apparently earlier that day ripped apart a backyard metal gate then attacked, killed and ate a pet rabbit as the horrified owner watched from inside his home.

The attack, which wildlife authorities said is not unprecedented, was nonetheless unusual.

“That’s nothing I’ve heard of in the 13 years that I’ve been here,” said Pasadena Fire Department Press Information Officer Lisa Derderian. “They’re more looking for food typically on trash day, or a dip in a backyard pool to cool off. I have not heard of that.”

Lt. Marty Walls of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it is “less common” for his department to get reports of bears killing animals.

“It may have happened and we just weren’t made aware of it,” Walls said. “It is a little bit unusual as far as the reports that we get.”

The homeowner spoke to Pasadena Now and provided photographic evidence on the condition he not be identified.

His home is located close to Eaton Canyon Golf Course.

The homeowner said that on Monday, May 23 about 4 p.m. a “large bear destroyed the gate at the backyard and came in” to his backyard.

“There were four pet rabbits playing at that moment, one of them was in a cage. The rabbits began to screech very loudly. Normally the rabbits do not screech. One was killed and the other two luckily escaped,” the homeowner said.

“The bear attempted to attack the second one in the cage,” he said.

“I tried to scare the bear off by making a loud, deep noise.” the homeowner said.

He was successful in stopping the bear’s attacks on the other rabbits, which escaped.

However, the bear “returned to the corner of the backyard continuing to eat the first one.” The bear stayed in the homeowners backyard for about 45 minutes before it left.

Residents in the neighborhood evidently began spotting the bear at that time as it began to amble through yards and along sidewalks.

“ About twenty minutes later, three helicopters arrived on the scene. Three major TV stations conducted three-hour helicopter searches for the bear,” the homeowner said.

Pasadena Police Lt. John Luna said the first call to police reported the bear at Riviera Drive and Sierra Madre Boulevard. Police contacted the Pasadena Humane Society to help find and corral the bear. The Humane Society called in California Fish and Wildlife personnel, Luna said. Despite the search and spotlights from as many as three police and news helicopters, the bear was never located again.

At the time, officials surmise it ambled back into the foothills.