Downieville, California - May 15, 2024 - In response to escalating reports of bear break-ins causing damage and posing significant public safety concerns in the Downieville area of Sierra County, the Sierra County Sheriff's Office took decisive action to protect the community.
Since early May, the Sheriff's Office has been inundated with daily reports from distressed homeowners and business owners regarding bears breaking into residences and vehicles, creating havoc and endangering local residents. Despite efforts to mitigate the situation, including pursuing depredation permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the escalating threat persisted.
Sheriff Fisher, recognizing the urgent need to address the issue, declared the bear responsible for multiple break-ins as a threat to public safety. With the cooperation of the USDA Trapper, a live trap was strategically deployed near a residence in Downieville, which had been repeatedly targeted by the bear.
Today, the situation reached a critical point when the bear attempted to enter the Downieville School gymnasium, prompting an immediate response from Sheriff's deputies. Subsequently, the bear proceeded to break into a nearby home, where it was confronted by a resident before attempting to gain entry into another residence.
Given the escalating danger posed by the bear's behavior and the imminent threat it presented to residents, deputies were left with no choice but to euthanize the bear in the interest of public safety.
Sheriff Fisher expresses deep regret over the necessity of this action but emphasizes that the safety of Sierra County residents remains the utmost priority. Efforts will continue to educate the community about bear safety measures and to collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sheriff Mike Fisher
Declaration of Public Safety Black Bear
Whereas, over the past two weeks, the community of Downieville, California, has been
05/14/2024
overwhelmed by a series of alarming incidents involving bears breaking into residences and
vehicles, resulting in property damage and posing a threat to public safety;
Whereas, the elderly resident of 614 Main Street has reported three separate incidents of a bear
forcibly entering their residence through the back door despite efforts to reinforce the door with
plywood. On May 13, he awoke from a nap on the couch to find the bear in his living room staring at
him;
Whereas, the residents of 501 Main Street have similarly reported numerous encounters with the
same bear, including at least two incidents where the bear entered the residence while it was
occupied and numerous attempts to enter the house including scratching on the doors;
Whereas, in the fall of 2023, Downieville experienced similar issues with bear activity, culminating
tragically in an incident where a bear entered a residence, fatally injuring an elderly lady who later
succumbed to her injuries. The bear remained at the scene, feeding on the victim's remains for
several days before being discovered by law enforcement during a welfare check;
Whereas, during the subsequent investigation, bear DNA was recovered from the deceased victim,
leading to the trapping and euthanasia of a male bear. Despite requests, pertinent information
regarding DNA comparisons and the results from Fish and Wildlife has not been provided, leaving
uncertainties regarding the identity of the bear involved in the fatal attack;
Whereas, in light of these incidents and the ongoing threat to public safety posed by a bear
repeatedly breaking into occupied residences, I, as the Sierra County Sheriff, hereby declare the
said bear a Public Safety Black Bear;
Whereas, I have formally requested assistance from USDA trappers to capture and euthanize the
offending bear, with the utmost priority placed on safeguarding the well-being and security of the
community of Downieville, California.
Sheriff Mike Fisher
