Kelly Ann Walz and her spouse, Michael, were known for their love of animals and their practice of providing shelter for various wild and uncommon creatures on their expansive hilltop property near Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Tragically, their residence, which also served as a sanctuary for wildlife, became the site of a horrific incident.
Among their collection of exotic animals were an African lion, a cougar, a jaguar, a tiger, a leopard, and two servals, all of which posed significant risks. However, it was their cherished bear, Teddy, that turned out to be the most dangerous.
In October 2009, Kelly was discovered deceased inside the cage where Teddy was kept, near the bear’s lifeless body. Teddy, whom they had raised from a cub over nine years, suddenly launched a fatal attack while their 37-year-old owner was cleaning his 15-by-15-foot custom-built steel and concrete enclosure.
Previous behavioral issues with the bear had been reported, prompting the Walz’s to adopt safety measures by feeding the animals in a separate section of the cage during cleaning. Despite these precautions, tragedy struck, leading to Kelly’s untimely demise.
Witnessed by a neighbor’s children, the 350-pound bear attacked Kelly as she called for help. By the time assistance arrived and the bear was shot in self-defense by the neighbor, it was too late to save Kelly.
Authorities, notably Tim Conway of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, suggested that more stringent safety protocols should have been in place, such as utilizing a two-section cage to isolate the animal completely during maintenance. Conway emphasized the inherently wild nature of such animals and the fatal consequences of neglecting safety measures.
Michael Walz, identified as the president of World of Reptiles Inc. in state records, operated the business from their home, reportedly established in 1988. Despite the tragic outcome, the incident serves as a cautionary tale regarding the risks associated with keeping wild animals in captivity.