A surreal scene played out for residents of rural Zanesville, Ohio, Wednesday, when reports came in of exotic animals roaming the area -- after cages at the local Muskingum County Animal Farm were left open by owner Terry Thompson, 62, who then killed himself.
In the aftermath of the event, 49 of the lions, tigers, bears, wolves and other animals let loose were hunted down and shot by officials, who had put the are on virtual lockdown, as "public safety was our number one concern," according to Sheriff Matt Lutz.
Local Columbus Zoo director emeritus and celebrity, Jack Hanna, assisted in the effort and said yesterday that the killings of 18 endangered Bengal Tigers was a tragedy, but necessary, considering the dangers the animals posed.
Meanwhile, conservationists were outraged that the farm was even allowed to exist, blaming lax laws, as Janet reports in a separate post.
It's not the first case of impassioned exotic animal collectors getting into trouble when their pets run wild.Why do people collect wild, dangerous animals and what laws are in place to control them? Maybe some recent examples can shed some light on the question.
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