An exotic animal farm in Zanesville, Ohio, became an emergency scene Tuesday night when the owner was found dead and more than four dozen wild animals were set free. According to a preliminary by area law enforcement, owner Terry Thompson took his life after releasing the animals from their cages.
Thompson finished a one-year stint in prison for weapons violations earlier this month. Multiple complaints of animal cruelty were filed against Thompson beginning in 2008, yet the creatures remained in small cages on the property as carcasses of dead domestic animals littered the property.
Emergency personnel put down at least 31 animals in the past 24 hours. Animal expert Jack Hanna is on scene and hopes to tranquilize the remaining lions, tigers, bears and wolves when they are found. According to local news reports, Thompson claimed his collection of exotic animals was an attempt at preservation.
My Ohio Twitter followers shared their thoughts on the Zanesville incident and existing exotic animal laws via email and instant messaging.
* "Keeping wild animals in a cage in the backyard is by no means an act of preservation. He had cages near his front porch. The cages did not offer any type of habitat for the poor creatures. Friends of mine who live on the same street have complained for years because they could not stand listening to the animals moan and whine. It's just awful. I am glad no one has been hurt by the scattered and frightened animals."-- Rhonda Stallings, nurse, Zanesville.
* "Jack Hanna said it best earlier this morning on Fox News. I second his statement that we have lax exotic animals laws in this state. That is why Ohio has the largest ownership of exotic animals and the most complaints of animal cruelty relating to housing and care. Gov. Strickland made a small attempt at changing the law and then Gov. Kasich tried to tighten it more and got blocked at every turn." -- Cassidy Lyons, retail manager, Zanesville.
* "Bengal tigers should not be living on personal property in Ohio or any state. They deserve a decent zoo or refuge habitat. The damage to native wildlife and farms caused when these animals get loose is a growing problem. This is not the first time exotic animals have been loose from Thompson's property or from other exotic owners in Ohio. It is cruel and dangerous."-- Matt Bentley, campground operator, Malta.
* "I don't understand why experts from The Wilds were not on hand last night to help. They are only a few miles away from the Thompson residence. The sheriff just said a veterinarian got close enough to use a tranquilizer gun on an extremely agitated lion but it took off running toward the woods and they had to shoot him. I don't fault the deputies for shooting the wild animals at close range with their side arms when they arrived on the property last night. But I wish there were strong enough laws in our state to prevent wild animals from being caged and human life from being harmed. --Nick Graham, construction worker, New Lexington.
* "Exotic animal farms should not be allowed. Life in a cage is not a life for these poor animals. Neighbors have a right to be safe in their own backyards as well. Animal rights advocates have tried to get the place shut down for years."-- Amanda Brown, small business owner, Zanesville.
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