Owner Of Wild Animals Released Them Before Committing Suicide
Posted on Oct 19, 2011 @ 06:30AM
The owner of a wild-animal preserve -- that housed as many as 48 wild and exotic animals -- opened the pens and cages of his menagerie before killing himself, authorities in Zanesville, Ohio said during a news conference Wednesday morning.
The property owner, Terry Thompson, opened the cages and gates of the animals -- including bears, cheetahs, wolves, lions, camels, giraffes and a white Siberian tiger -- prior to giving himself a fatal, self-inflicted wound, police said, adding they were waiting on autopsy results.
Three animals are unaccounted for -- a lion, a bear and a monkey -- police said in a preliminary estimate. Authorities shot and killed about 30 of the animals Tuesday, and were under orders to shoot to kill during overnight efforts to round up the animals.
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Police told the public not to take any action if they spotted the animals; earlier Wednesday, Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said locals should stay inside their homes until the situation was resolved, while road signs told motorists to remain in their cars. Three school districts cancelled classes in connection with the incident.
The late owner, Thompson, 61, had recently wrapped up a year-long prison sentence on a weapons conviction, and had been cited for animal abuse and neglect before, as well.
“Since 2005, we’ve been out there 16 times for reports of animals at large, 8 times for animal complaints and three times for animal cruelty," police told RadarOnline.com.
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Zanesville has a population of about 25,000, and sits about 55 miles east of Columbus.
The incident, the Humane Society of the United States said, shows the state needs to tighten up laws regarding the ownership of wild animals.
Another news conference is scheduled for 3 pm ET, officials said.
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The Daily Juice
Oct 19, 2011 @ 10:30
Hope some were contained with tranquilizer guns etc. and it sounds like people living in the area know to just stay in and no one is hurt while they find the last 3 animals. I pray none of them were shot but by pictures it appears some were.
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 3:25pm
The owner can kill himself, but he did NOT have to let the animals out. They could have been given to sanctuaries. So basically he had to know that some if not all would have to shot running wild like that. :/ Very sad the way he did this.
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 3:20pm
What a horrible thing to do to the animals and the people of that town. The law is going to do is protect the citizens first. I wish the animals didn't have to die either but the way he released them the police did not want to take any chances.
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 1:59pm
How horrible! Why couldn't they have called in wildlife experts to tranquilize and relocate them, instead of killing them?
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 1:03pm
This made me cry to think of those animals killed like this..they could of tranquilized them..why would he release them someone would have taken care of them but maybe he wasnt thinking clearly..so terribly sad for him and them.
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 12:21pm
This is sickening, there is no reason for this slaughter
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 12:11pm
This is sickening, there is no reason for this slaughter
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 12:11pm
U don't knw muh abt wild animals that have spent their lives in captivity.Iagree they could have used other methods but public safetyis#1.Trappingortranquilizing at anytime is tricky bt at night and not in a contained area, is even more difficult.
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 12:10pm
I agree, why couldn't the have used darts? Furthermore, WTF is Ohio thinking allowing a person to have such animals? Too bad none of the animals were able to attack the cops first, that would be priceless!
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 11:56am
Sad that this man took his own life. Why put people and his beloved animals at risk? Let's hope some of these innocent animals's live are saved and no one is hurt.
Posted Wed, 10/19/2011 - 11:47am