A pair of Alaska Native puppies were recently found wandering a dark street in Florida, and the man who “illegally” imported them faces nearly a dozen charges.
Shae Hensley, 53, housed the Kodiak bears on a property in Baker, which were “crammed into a 10-by-20-foot chain link enclosure.”
Hensley told the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office that one night he forgot to close the door, allowing the animals to escape; They are now being held at the Panama City Zoo.
Hensley faces 11 charges of illegally importing bears without obtaining a permit, failing to report the cubs’ escape and obtaining the animals without proper enclosure.
PETA told DailyMail.com that it tipped off wildlife officials in October, telling them that Hensley had illegally obtained the cubs from a zoo in New Jersey.
Shae Hensley, 53, faces 11 charges of illegally importing two Alaska Native cubs into Florida without obtaining a permit, failing to report the escape of the cubs and obtaining the animals without proper enclosure.
The puppies were “crammed into a 10-by-20-foot chain-link enclosure” when Hensley forgot to lock the door one night, she told Okaloosa County deputies.
PETA Foundation Captive Animal Enforcement Director Michelle Sinnott said: “If the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) had acted on PETA’s advice in October, these exploited bears would never have escaped. in the middle of the night”.
Hensley also received warnings for having unsuitable enclosures for other animals, including foxes, skunks and raccoons.
The bears made headlines this month after Florida police released body camera footage showing two cubs wandering down a dark street at 3:30 a.m.
Authorities assumed the animals were black bears, but an investigation by the FWC showed the cubs’ home was more than 3,600 miles away.
However, a closer look at the size and color revealed that the animals were not native to Florida.
According to an incident report obtained by HAVE A POSITIONHensley told FWC he had bear licenses since obtaining them in February 2023.
A pair of Alaska Native cubs were found wandering down a back road in Florida, sparking an investigation into why the animals were more than 3,600 miles from home.
The bears made headlines this month after Florida police released body camera footage showing two cubs wandering down a dark street at 3:30 a.m.
PETA notified the FWC in October that Hensley enlisted the help of New York-based roadside zoo owner Larry Wallach, who gave the Florida resident his license to import bears.
The bears are believed to have come from the Space Farms Zoo in Sussex, New Jersey.
PETA’s investigation into Hensley revealed that he owned several exotic animals, including two Patagonian guinea pigs, a young kangaroo, several ostriches and a water buffalo.
Wallach was cited in 2022 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for housing baby sloths in unapproved locations and failing to provide inspectors with a written veterinary care program.
But Wallach has denied involvement in the Kodiak bear case.
Hensley’s name is attached to a company called Kodiak Productions and Animal Actors LLC that was incorporated on February 18, 2023.
The address shows a place full of animal pens that house birds and other creatures in the backyard.
WEAR reported that the Hensley property is for sale and that the site attached to Kodiak Productions and Animal Actors LLC is currently on the market.
Hensley’s name is attached to a company called Kodiak Productions and Animal Actors LLC that was incorporated on February 18, 2023.
The address shows a place full of animal pens that house birds and other creatures in the backyard.
Okaloosa County is located in the Florida Panhandle, home to black bears.
While most people may not know the difference, black bears and Kodiak bears look very different.
Kodiak bears are much larger, weighing up to 1,500 pounds, while black bears weigh up to 600 pounds.
The Alaska native animal is usually brown in color, while black bears can be found with brown, tan, and black fur.
The body camera footage begins with two officers exiting their vehicle to meet a resident who made the call.
Hensley allegedly enlisted the help of New York-based roadside zoo owner Larry Wallach (pictured), who gave the Florida resident his license to import bears. Wallach cited for harboring baby sloths in unapproved locations
The two puppies wandered in the middle of the street while officers illuminated the road with lights.
“They want food or something,” the civilian told the officers. “They are clearly domesticated.”
The images show the man petting the puppies and the animals also tried to jump into the patrol car parked on the side of the road.
“I think they’re brown,” the man said as he gave the cubs some food.
“They’re not black bears.”
Officers speculated the cubs could be brown or grizzly bears.
‘It’s like they’re not afraid of people. They’ll come up to people and let you pet them,” one officer told dispatch, who responded, “The shenanigans at 3:30 a.m.”