Bear Drawn to La Crescenta by Smelly Refrigerator

A broken refrigerator's stench may have lured a black , according to Pasadena Humane Society officials. 

Glendale Police Department, and Pasadena Humane Society are going door to door Thursday morning to let residents know about the bear sighting that happened about 3 a.m. Wednesday in the 3700 block of Beechglen Drive.

"We haven't had any dangerous encounters," Glendale Police Officer Matt Zakarian said. "We just need to keep any eye out."

Authorities ask that locals keep food and trash inside until morning, make sure the house is secure and put pets inside at night, Zakarian said. If possible, residents can also try to place rocks on top of trash cans to prevent bears from opening the containers. 

"We do have a bear residing in this general vacinity," said Ashley Hermans of Pasadena Humane Society. 

California Department of Fish and Game will also been in the area to help the bear get back to the mountains, Hermans said. Bears are unusual to the area, but have been more prevelant following the 2009 Station Fire, she added.

"Before last year we didn't have bears in this area," Hermans said. 

Hermans said that if any locals come across a bear that it's important to face it, make yourself look large, make noise, back away slowly and call 911 immediately. 

Glendale police will also bring a billboard into the area to notify residents about the animal.

Police are focused on informing people about the bear, and how to respect it, Zakarian said. 

"We have no intention of killing the bear," Zakarian said. 

To contact the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA call (626) 792-7151 or email wildlife@phsspca.org.