Area law enforcement officials will meet in Arcadia with the California Department of Fish and Game representatives to discuss wildlife, especially bears, coming down into the populated foothill cities.
Fish and Game officials met in Arcadia with members of area police to discuss dealing with increasingly visible wild animals, especially bears, who amble into cities bordering Angeles National Forest. Wildfires may drive animals from the mountains.
A 300-pound bear was seen rummaging through a trash can in Wilderness Park, and authorities feel it may be the same bear that was captured in the same place 10 months ago, then released 50 miles away in Angeles National Forest near Pyramid Lake.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control, which has licensing responsibility in Arcadia, has increased its fees from $2.50 to $3.50 for spayed dogs and from $5.00 to $7.00 for non-spayed animals.