Note:  I typed "Public Safety Bear" into AI and got the above cartoon image.

To be honest, a Public Safety Bear sounds like an anthropomorphic bear, like Smoky, who promotes public safety. I am picturing someone in a bear mascot or an elaborate costume puppet like the Bear In The Big Blue House teaching young children about safety. Reminds me of the Polinours TouTous (Teddy Bears) Police Bears the Montreal police hand out to children. This term "Public Safety Bear" just demonstrates how ridiculous this three strikes kill the bear policy truly is. It proves that, no matter how much the Public Relations team tries to dress up this extermination of a mother bear, no amount of PR can undo the damage. Any effort to do so winds up being unintentionally satirically funny. Next time, call The Bear League for a truly humane non lethal option. The only "Public Safety Bear" is a bear who is kept safe from persecution from humans. 

Yes well the world disagrees with you on Blondie being a Public Safety Threat due to a bite history taken out of context of Black Bears being an urban animal. Maybe loud bouncy dogs scared her.  The City of Monrovia thinks Blondie's killing was unnecessary. Public Safety Bear?  The only public safety problem is the problem with accessibility to underneath houses and sheds, and attractant.  There will be plenty more "Public Safety Animals" after Blondie, who was killed, probably shot, and not "humanely euthanized".  There was nothing good about Blondie's death, and now her cubs must be raised by humans.  Nicole Corrado 

On Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 06:01:55 p.m. EDT, Wildlife CDFWNews <cdfwnews@wildlife.ca.gov> wrote:

Thank you for reaching out to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). We appreciate you reaching out. We are grateful to serve a community that shares the commitment to conserving California’s natural resources.  

CDFW’s foremost responsibility in human-wildlife conflict situations is the protection of human life and ensuring public safety. With that priority in mind, the black bear involved in the March 14 incident in Monrovia, Los Angeles County, has been determined by CDFW Law Enforcement Officers to be a Public Safety Bear.  

DNA testing confirmed that the sow captured over the weekend is the same bear responsible for the March 14 incident. DNA results also revealed this bear was involved in a previous incident in June 2025, when an elderly Monrovia resident was injured while sitting on his porch. The bear was not captured at that time.  

This determination follows thorough assessment of the bear’s behavior and the circumstance of the incident. Our decision aligns with CDFW’s Black Bear Policy in California, where humane euthanasia is used as a last resort when an animal has demonstrated dangerous behavior and cannot be safely returned to the wild. While difficult, this decision reflects the responsibility to prevent further harm to both people and wildlife. 

Situations like this underscore the importance of prevention. Bears are highly adaptable and will seek out food and shelter when opportunities are present. Securing crawl spaces, removing food attractants such as unsecured trash or pet food and eliminating access to sheltered areas around homes are critical steps residents must take to reduce the likelihood of conflict and habituation. These efforts help keep both people and wildlife safe and bears wild.  

The cubs are being cared for by a permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility where they will grow and develop the skills necessary to survive in the wild. When ready, they will be released into suitable habitat, giving them the opportunity to live full, wild lives. 

We deeply appreciate the compassion shown by the community and remain committed to both protecting public safety and conserving California’s wildlife. 

Thank you again for taking the time to reach out to us and share your thoughts. 

Warm regards, 

The Office of Communication, Education and Outreach 

California Department of Fish and Wildlife