Pocono News Section

Neighbors Shocked by Bear Mauling

Neighbors Shocked by Bear Mauling - Monday, October 5, 2009 at 11:00AM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Monday, Oct 5, 2009 @ 11:00am EDT
ROSS TWP., MONROE COUNTY -- We are learning more about a deadly bear mauling in Monroe County.

A woman was killed Sunday by a bear she kept as a pet on her property in Ross Township along Dogwood Lane. We found out the woman killed was licensed to keep the 350-pound black bear at her home.

We are also learning that a neighbor tried to stop the bear during the attack -- but it was too late.

Leroy Weiss of Ross Township said, "I just can't understand why all of a sudden the bear would just attack her."

People react with disbelief, shock and sadness surrounding the death of 37-year-old Kelly Walz. Leroy Weiss found out about the fatal bear attack from the victim's neighbor. "He's the one that, you know, helped them out and he called me and, well, I found out everything," he said.

The attack happened on private property at the Walz family home. She entered her 350-pound black bear's 15-by-15 foot steel and concrete enclosure. Walz tossed the animal some dog food to distract it while trying to clean the cage.

The bear ended up pinning her to the ground. Weiss says his friend rushed over and pulled a gun. "He had to shoot the bear because it was going to turn on him," he said.

State police say Walz and her husband had an exotic wildlife permit to house the bear and other animals. "I've only been up there once and all I know is they have a lot of animals up there. Exotic ones," said Weiss.

Other neighbors who never set foot on the Walz property still knew about the animals that included the black bear, a Bengal tiger and an African lion. Bruce Lamson said, "You could hear a roar, I mean a roar and it was a roar more of a tiger or a lion that you could hear."

Now, people who knew Kelly Walz are trying to make sense of the tragedy. "There's always the risk that you might let your guard down, you know, if you're used to being around animals like that. There's no doubt about it. It kind of makes you wonder," said Lamson.

Weiss added, "And it was a shocker to me because she was a real nice lady. I mean, she was kind to anybody."

Kelly Walz is survived by her husband and two children.

State police at Lehighton and the game commission are still investigating the case.