Authorities have killed or captured 45 animals Ohio

[2ndgenz28]

Bear, Mountain Lion and Monkey Still on the Loose in Ohio

Authorities have killed or captured 45 animals

Updated: Wednesday, 19 Oct 2011, 12:53 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 19 Oct 2011, 6:32 AM EDT


By NewsCore

ZANESVILLE, Ohio - A grizzly bear, a mountain lion and a monkey are still on the loose in Ohio after apparently being set free by the owner of an animal preserve who then shot and killed himself, authorities said Wednesday.

Since Tuesday night, authorities have either killed or captured about 45 bears, monkeys, lions, Bengal tigers, and leopards, Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said in a press conference.

Lutz also said that law enforcement feel certain that the animals were intentionally freed from the preserve in rural Zanesville by 62-year-old owner Terry Thompson, who then apparently took his own life.

"We feel that Mr. Thompson died from a self-inflicted wound. We do also feel that he released these animals at some point. Not only were the gates open, but some of the pens were also cut open," Lutz said.

Authorities said they shot dead 25 animals as they approached the property Tuesday night -- and many of the animals were shot at close range with officers' service weapons.

Lutz said he ordered officers to shoot the roaming animals because public safety was in jeopardy.

"We are not talking about your everyday house cat or dog. These are 300 pound (136 kilogram) Bengal tigers we had to put down," he said.

Lutz stressed that the escaped animals were "mature, very big, aggressive" and said that the area surrounding the farm had not been fully secured yet.

"It's a highly volatile area," he said.

Thompson owned between 48 and 51 exotic animals. Lutz said most of the animals had been accounted for, including several monkeys inside the residence that did not escape and were not put down. At least three -- a mountain lion, a grizzly bear and a monkey -- were still missing.

Shortly after the Wednesday morning press conference, Ohio Highway Patrol confirmed a mountain lion sighting off Interstate 70 in Zanesville.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that a bear and a wolf were spotted four miles (six kilometers) from the property overnight.

Authorities hoped to tranquilize the remaining animals when they are located, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium director emeritus Jack Hanna told FOX News Channel.

"That's good and bad," he added, explaining that the inclement weather would reduce the danger for local residents but make the recovery of the animals more difficult.

Several school districts canceled Wednesday classes as worried residents took refuge indoors, the Zanesville Times Recorder reported.

Thompson was released from prison three weeks ago after serving a one-year term for weapons offenses.

In 2005, he was convicted of cruelty to animals and placed under house arrest for six months.

A local veterinarian who inspected some of Thompson's animals described him as "an animal collector," although Thompson claimed he was operating an animal shelter.

He was also involved in fashion photography, providing lion cubs for use in a photo shoot with model Heidi Klum in 2007, The Dispatch reported.

[2ndgenz28]

News footage was narley, dead lions and tigers filling a farm field.

[The Stig]

Lions and tigers and bears oh my

[FenwickHockey65]

Would've made the best hunting trip ever.

[Drew10]

Here in southern Ohio we have black bear, occasional mountain lions, and recently a population boom in Meth heads.

[BowtieBelle]

Originally Posted by Drew10

Here in southern Ohio we have black bear, occasional mountain lions, and recently a population boom in Meth heads.

[Jay_LHD3]

I don't get it. How do you get out of prison on a weapons violation and still have a permit own 48+ wild/dangerous animals?

[BowtieBelle]

Originally Posted by Jay_LHD3

I don't get it. How do you get out of prison on a weapons violation and still have a permit own 48+ wild/dangerous animals?

Oh, the same reason rapists get out of jail in 3-5 years but getting caught with a pound of leafy greens could get you upwards of 10? OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM RULES

[Drew10]

Originally Posted by Ark5thGenGirl

Oh, the same reason rapists get out of jail in 3-5 years but getting caught with a pound of leafy greens could get you upwards of 10? OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM RULES

Yep....Saw on one of those news specials where one guy was charged with manslaughter and was free in 4 years and a guy trafficking some coke did 10 in the same state. Not saying I agree with coke peddling just found it odd.

[Overflow]

Originally Posted by 2ndgenz28

News footage was narley, dead lions and tigers filling a farm field.

[2ndgenz28]

Originally Posted by Overflow

They had em all laid out all over to burry them in the dead owners field.

Probably allot of loot in mount skins lost.
I could see grave robber go after a big male lion mane.

[angie7]

:( the system sux. Criminals have more rights then victims. U dont realize how true that is until u or a loved one is a victim.

[2010SS2SS]

Sorry that the animals had to be put down but the Sheriff made the right desicion.
Tired of reading all the "bleeding hearts" screaming about "couldn't they tranquilize them" even had a dumb ass in my office talking about cops carrying tasers! LOL Just kind of laghed and walked off. This guy was ready to check out and get back at the local L.E. and neighbors by releasing the animals. Sucks that there was such a waste of life but better the animals than a local kid

[wylde1]

Convicted of gun offenses.... still owns gun

conviced of ANIMAL ABUSE.... still allowed to own 50ish exotic animals?

neither of these make any sense. I wonder if Michael Vick is allowed to own a pit bull?