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Abused Bear Has New Home At PAWS Animal Sanctuary In San Andreas

SAN ANDREAS (CBS13) – An abused bear is now enjoying a new lease on life in the California foothills after spending years in a concrete cage in North Carolina.

Earlier this month, Ben the bear, was flown from North Carolina to the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary in San Andreas known as ARK 2000.

Ben had spent six years in a small concrete and chain-link cage as part of a roadside zoo in Fayetteville.

A judge gave PAWS custody of Ben saying his enclosure was like "forcing a human to live in a small closet" and that the zoo caused Ben "unjustifiable physical and psychological suffering."

Ben Lead
Ben relaxes in his pool at the PAWS ARK 2000 sanctuary in San Andreas. (credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)
Ben's Journey From Cage To CA Sanctuary
(credit: PETA.org)

So now, Ben is living in a large habitat at ARK 2000 paid for by former "The Price Is Right" host Bob Barker.

"PAWS is giving Ben the chance to be a bear again, with plenty of space for him to roam, play, and forage," says General Counsel to PETA Jeffrey S. Kerr. "Despite years of neglect and abuse, Ben has already started to thrive in his new home—proof of the good that sanctuaries such as ARK 2000 can accomplish."

Ben now has his own pool and plenty of trees where he can scratch an itch.

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