'Please Stop Calling': Cops Say 'Hank the Tank' Calls are Hampering Service

AP Fellow

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The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is urging people not to call their dispatchers about the famous bear walking around their town after he was earmarked for capture and euthanasia.

The department posted a Facebook message stressing that people should not call their dispatch lines to discuss Hank the Tank, the massive bear that's been the subject of local annoyance and internet adoration. While the department appreciated how their initial boost about Hank became viral, they have experienced a massive surge in calls all about the bear.

"Please stop calling SLTPD to give your opinions about Hank," wrote the department. "Our dispatchers are being inundated with these calls about Hank. It's affecting their ability to give their full attention to emergency calls."

They also took the time to address recent speculation on the department's plan for the bear, such as whether or not they plan to euthanize him. Newsweek previously reported that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) was searching for Hank, who is allegedly responsible for damaging dozens of properties in the South Lake Tahoe area. The CDFW warned that Hank could pose a potential threat to humans.

A bear that has been wandering a California town has been nicknamed Hank the Tank for his size. However, local police officers have urged the public not to call their dispatches to give their opinions... BEAR League

"So I can't stress this enough," said the department spokesperson responsible for writing the Facebook post, "the SLTPD does not have a say in where Hank lands. Our local wildlife agencies are working together to find the best option for Hank. No one wants to see him euthanized. They are searching for an option that will be good for Hank's mental/physical health, and the safety of our local residents."

In an edit to a previous post, the department shed a bit of light on the aggressive nature of some of the calls they've been receiving.

"Please stop calling SLTPD dispatch to voice your opinion about Hank," stated the edited caption of a post made on February 19 regarding the bear. "They're being inundated with aggressive callers, taking away from their ability to handle actual emergency calls."

Hank is suspected of damaging at least 33 properties in the South Lake Tahoe area on his quest to find more food. He's also been accused of breaking into at least 28 homes. However, many wildlife activists, such as BEAR League Executive Director Ann Bryant, say that he's just trying to obtain food as he's "just a big huge eating machine," as she put it in an email to Newsweek.

An online petition to prevent him from being euthanized upon capture has gained over 1,000 signatures on the petitioning website Change.org.

"[Euthanization] is the laziest and most inhumane way to solve this issue. Stop Hank from being murdered in his own home," wrote petition organizer Julie P. "The [California] Wildlife Department does not need to euthanize him. He can be relocated to a sanctuary and live his days in peace while still being fed in the easiest fashion."

With Hank still on the run, residents are being advised to dispose of their food properly as to not attract him towards their homes.