A routine morning walk turned into a frightening encounter for a Southern California woman after a black bear suddenly approached and swiped her leg in a quiet residential neighborhood.

The incident happened Saturday morning in Monrovia, a city near the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. According to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, the woman had been walking her dog along Oakglade Drive around 9:20 a.m. when the unexpected encounter occurred.

Authorities say an adult black bear approached the woman and appeared to charge toward her before striking the back of her knee with its claw. The brief attack left the woman with minor injuries, and she was treated for wounds that officials described as non-life-threatening.

Police quickly responded to the scene and notified the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which monitors wildlife activity and safety concerns involving animals in populated areas.

While the encounter was alarming, authorities say attacks involving black bears remain extremely rare. California is home to an estimated 60,000 black bears—the largest population in the contiguous United States—but most encounters end without violence.

Still, the incident caught local law enforcement off guard.

Lt. Kevin Oberon of the Monrovia Police Department said he had never heard of a bear swiping a person during his 23 years on the force. The unusual nature of the attack has drawn attention to the increasing overlap between wildlife and suburban communities across parts of Southern California.

Bear sightings in neighborhoods near the San Gabriel Mountains have become more common in recent years as development continues to expand closer to wilderness areas. Residents in nearby foothill communities often report bears wandering through streets, rummaging through trash cans, or even exploring underneath homes.

In fact, wildlife officials recently discovered a black bear living beneath a house in Altadena, not far from Monrovia.

Some experts believe environmental factors may also be playing a role in pushing wildlife closer to human neighborhoods. The Eaton Fire that burned through parts of Altadena in 2025 destroyed large areas of habitat, potentially forcing bears to move into new territories in search of food and water.

As a result, wildlife officials have been reminding residents to take precautions that discourage bears from entering neighborhoods. Because bears are highly motivated by food sources, even small attractants—like unsecured trash bins, pet food, or outdoor grills—can draw them into residential areas.

Despite the scare, officials say the woman is expected to recover fully from her injuries.

The encounter serves as a reminder that in parts of California where suburbs meet wilderness, wildlife sightings can happen unexpectedly—even during something as simple as walking the dog.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation while urging residents to stay alert and avoid leaving food or garbage outside, which can attract curious bears looking for their next meal.