Kelly Ann Walz and her husband, Michael, were known to all as animal enthusiasts who used their wealth to house wild and rare creatures.
Their luxurious hilltop residence near Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the US, was a sanctuary for numerous animals until a horrifying tragedy occurred within their wildlife home.
Their collection of exotic pets included an African lion, a cougar, a jaguar, a tiger, a leopard, and two servals. These animals alone posed a significant risk, but it was their cherished bear, Teddy, that proved to be the most dangerous.
In October 2009, Kelly’s lifeless body was discovered inside Teddy’s cage, not far from his own deceased body, according to reports from The Seattle Times. They had devoted nine years to raising the bear from cubhood to adulthood at their home.
The 37-year-old had a custom-built 15-by-15-foot cage made of steel and concrete, which was being cleaned on the day Teddy launched his deadly attack. Reports suggest this wasn’t the first time they’d encountered issues with the bear’s behaviour, reports the Mirror.
With this in mind, the Walzes attempted to manage him and their other pets safely by throwing food into a different part of the cage, keeping the animals distracted while they cleaned it out. When the tragic news of Kelly’s death broke, a family friend and neighbour, Scott Castone, told reporters: “She’s done it 1,000 times, and on 1,001, something happened.”
A neighbour’s children witnessed the horrifying scene as a 350-pound bear attacked Kelly, despite her desperate screams for help. By the time Scott Castone arrived at their property, armed and ready to intervene, it was tragically too late for Kelly.
In an effort to protect himself and others in the vicinity, he shot the bear dead. He explained: “He got off of her to come out to me. I did what anyone would do. It was pretty much self-defence.”
Despite the Walz’s alleged precautions with their animal care, Tim Conway, a supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, believes more could have been done to ensure their safety.
His expertise suggests that most keepers utilise a two-section cage, allowing the animal to be completely isolated while the other section is being cleaned.
He said: “Why this woman chose to go in the same area that the bear was in is beyond me. It’s a fatal mistake. These things are not tame animals; they’re wild animals.”
CBS News reported that Michael Walz was listed in state corporation records as the president of World of Reptiles Inc. at the time of Kelly’s death.
The business, which appeared to be based in their shared home, was believed to have been established back in 1988.