Wild animals, including lions, tigers, bears, and wolves, were turned loose
from a private collectors' property in Zanesville, Ohio. It is believed that
the owner of the site, Terry Thompson, turned the animals loose before dying
from a self-inflicted wound. Schools were closed, and the public was directed
to stay inside as there were reports of wild animals running loose outside the
property. Approximately 50 animals were believed to live at that site.
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| Lion Shot in Ohio - Courtesy of Associated Press |
Muskingum
County Sheriff Matt Lutz issued the order to shoot to kill the animals in
the name of public safety. Most of the animals were killed pursuant to Lutz's
directive while a few were still being sought.
According to Lutz, about
40
of the animals were killed while still inside the property. Lutz justified
this by saying they were short on daylight, they had no sedatives and were
concerned about safety. It is unclear why they could not, instead, shut the
fence, secure the perimeter, gather experts, supplies and create a plan to
contain the animals inside, alive, until daylight while focusing on capturing
the animals outside the perimeter that could actually threaten the
public.
The real problem here is the ease with which permits for captive and exotic
wildlife can be obtained. Whether one simply wants a pet primate or wishes to
house lions for canned hunts, exhibitions or circuses, they need only pay a
permit fee. Enforcement of permit requirements and compliance inspections are
often infrequently conducted if at all. Whether a lion is kept as a pet or
rented out for television commercials etc., he or she is still a dangerous wild
animal living in close proximity to people, ostensibly for commercial
entertainment. Veterinary care, food and security are expensive which can
result in inhumane treatment, substandard husbandry and housing structures,
and, in many cases, escape.
In this case, numerous complaints regarding the Thompson compound ranging
from animal cruelty to loose animals were lodged with the authorities in
Zanesville and, according to Lutz "has been a huge problem for us for a
number of years". Gunning them down in the compound solved that problem.
In the end, the animal always suffers. Whether improperly cared for in
captivity or killed by a panicked sheriff without a plan, the animal always
loses. And in every case, a wild animal will behave true to his or her nature.
There must be an immediate halt to the issuing of such permits, a
re-evaluation of the status of current permit holders, and an investigation of
Lutzs' handling of this case.
Now there are even fewer Bengal tigers in our world, or as Lutz called him
or her "this thing".
Article first published as Loose Wild Animals Gunned Down in Ohio on Technorati.
