Bears gutted, left behind salon
Anchorage, AK (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2006
County: Anchorage
Disposition: Open
Case Images: 1 files available
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
A disgusting discovery has some Midtown Anchorage businesses up in arms tonight. Three dead animals -- a large bear and two smaller ones -- were found skinned and decaying behind a hair salon on Tudor Road. But authorities say there's nothing they can do about it.
The law is when a dead animal turns up on your property, you're responsible for disposing of it. But business people on the 500 block of Tudor Road say it is different situation. Someone obviously shot and gutted these animals, and then dumped them here illegally.
When workers at Panache Hair Design stepped outside for a break, they don't expect to feel nauseated by the smell of rotting meat. People often dump dead fish in the back alley, but never bears.
Inside the salon, even the customers are angry.
"I just think it's appalling. I can't believe anybody would be that rude to kill an animal like that, or animals, and put them back there like that," said Pam Gallivo (left), a customer.
"It is very disgusting, extremely disgusting. We've got flies flying all over the place. The stench is unbelievable," said Candie Reed (below right), the owner of Panache Hair Design.
"They should be investigating it as a crime scene, not just ignoring it. I really have a problem with that," said Sue Ellen Appellof, an employee at Panache.
Alaska State Troopers and the Department of Fish and Game did come out to investigate, but they could find no evidence that would lead them to a suspect. Now it's the property owners' responsibility to clean up the mess.
"It's pretty impossible to tell who's responsible for it, but I don't think it should be our responsibility to clean up someone's mess like this," said Jesse Lynch, an employee at Panache.
Alaska Fish and Game likens this situation to someone illegally dumping a sofa or refrigerator on your property. When that happens, you must clean it up or call in a professional, at a cost of several hundred dollars.
Alaska State Troopers ask anyone with information to the person(s) who committed this act to call (907) 269-5541. They'll prosecute, and then the property owners can sue anyone convicted of this crime to get the disposal fees back. References |
