Kelly Ann Walz and her husband, Michael, were known for their passion for animals and their dedication to providing a sanctuary for various wild and rare creatures at their luxurious hilltop residence near Allentown, Pennsylvania. Tragically, a horrifying incident occurred at their home, which also served as a haven for wildlife.

Among their menagerie were an African lion, a cougar, a jaguar, a tiger, a leopard, and two servals, all of which presented inherent risks. However, it was their cherished bear, Teddy, who proved to be the most dangerous.

In October 2009, Kelly was discovered lifeless inside the cage where Teddy resided, alongside the bear’s lifeless body. The couple had raised Teddy from a cub to adulthood over a span of nine years.

Kelly had a specially constructed 15-by-15-foot cage made of steel and concrete, which was being cleaned on the day of the fatal attack by Teddy. Reports indicated that previous issues had arisen regarding the bear’s behavior.

Despite their efforts to ensure safety while managing the animals, such as diverting their attention with food while cleaning, a tragic turn of events led to Kelly’s demise. A family friend and neighbor, Scott Castone, remarked that the incident occurred unexpectedly, despite Kelly’s routine interactions with the bear.

Scott Castone’s children witnessed the bear’s attack on Kelly, but by the time help arrived, it was too late. In a bid to protect himself and the community, Scott had to fatally shoot the bear in self-defense.

While the Walzs were believed to have taken precautions in caring for their animals, a supervisor from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Tim Conway, suggested that additional measures, like using a two-section cage, could have prevented the tragedy. Conway emphasized the importance of treating wild animals with caution and respect due to their unpredictable nature.

Following Kelly’s death, it was revealed that Michael Walz was listed as the president of World of Reptiles Inc., a business reportedly established in 1988 and operating from their residence.

The unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with keeping wild animals and the importance of implementing appropriate safety measures.