Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!(Among Others...)

TFatseas · 10-19-11, 01:19 AM

Quote:

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Dozens of exotic animals escaped Tuesday from a wild animal preserve that houses bears, big cats and other beasts, and the owner was found dead there, said police, who shot several of the creatures and urged residents to stay indoors.

The fences had been left unsecured at the Muskingum County Animal Farm in Zanesville, and the animals' cages were open, police said. They wouldn't say what animals escaped but said the preserve had lions, wolves, tigers, giraffes, camels and bears. Bears and wolves were among 25 animals that were shot and killed, police said, and there were multiple sightings of exotic animals along a nearby highway.

"These are wild animals that you would see on TV in Africa," Sheriff Matt Lutz warned at a news conference.

He called the escaped animals "mature, very big, aggressive," but said a caretaker told authorities the preserve's 48 animals had been fed on Monday. Police were patrolling the 40-acre farm and the surrounding areas in cars, not on foot, he said, and were concerned that big cats and bears could be hiding.

"This is a bad situation," Lutz said. "It's been a situation for a long time."

Lutz said his office started getting phone calls about 5:30 p.m. that wild animals were loose just west of town on a road that runs under Interstate 70...

Rest at link...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...,2040741.story

Penguin · 10-19-11, 06:18 AM

Looks like the Privateer household will have a variety of game on their bbq grill.

frau kaleun · 10-19-11, 07:51 AM

This is all over the news here... very bizarre story. They are not saying (and probably don't know yet) how the owner was killed - if someone else killed him and let the critters out, or if he opened everything and then killed himself. They are saying that he had a criminal record and was just recently released from prison where he'd been for a year on a firearms charge... which makes me wonder, who was taking care of the animals and compound in his absence, and where are they now?

They have people from the Columbus Zoo on site and they are hoping that when more animals are sighted they can shoot them with tranquilizers and remove them without any more of them having to be killed. That will depend on the situation and how the animals react if they can get the tranqulizers in them - if they can't take them alive safely it will mean the critters will have to be killed instead as they are (obviously) making public safety the primary concern.

The public is being advised to stay indoors and stay in their cars if they are traveling through the area. Area schools have been closed. What a bizarre situation. I just hope it's not the work of someone who thought he/she was making some statement about animal rights... certainly doesn't justify the death of the owner and it didn't do the animals any favors either as unfortunately most of them will probably end up being killed.

Jimbuna · 10-19-11, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

Looks like the Privateer household will have a variety of game on their bbq grill.

Well he certainly got one of the bears

MothBalls · 10-19-11, 03:31 PM

This is starting to make big headlines in the US now, mainly because the Sheriff ordered the animals killed on site and not tranquilized. The animal huggers are coming out of the woodwork.

Quote:

Sheriff Matt Lutz said he personally gave the order to shoot the escaped animals, including grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, tigers and lions.

On Wednesday, Mr Lutz said police believe they have now accounted for all the animals but one wolf and monkey. The animals' owner, Terry Thompson, was found dead at the zoo, and police believe he killed himself.

Mr Lutz said a preliminary investigation suggested Mr Thompson left fences open at the farm. Officials said the "volatile situation" of animals escaping from the Muskingum County Animal Farm and the approach of nightfall on Tuesday had prompted the shoot-to-kill order.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15364027

Have nothing against the animals, feel bad for them, but have to go with the Sheriff on this one. Tough decision to make but I think he made the right one. If he didn't and someone got hurt it would have been worse. His job and priority is to protect the public and his officers, and he did what he had to do.

I don't understand why everyone is blaming the Sheriff instead of the guy who had the animals and let them loose before killing himself.

CaptainMattJ. · 10-19-11, 06:51 PM

dont worry it shouldnt be hard to take down the lions.

i mean, if the 49ers could do it...

Platapus · 10-19-11, 07:22 PM

Are the officials even trying to tranquilize the escaped animals?

I fully understand the justification for shooting them if they pose a threat. But I would like, when possible, for them to consider non-lethal ways also.

soopaman2 · 10-20-11, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.

dont worry it shouldnt be hard to take down the lions.

i mean, if the 49ers could do it...

Are you saying we should send Gore, Smith, and Vernon Davis out there with shotguns?

We seem to play alot of teams named after birds...Maybe not such a good fit after all.

If I find the still missing monkey I am keeping it.

TLAM Strike · 10-19-11, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Well he certainly got one of the bears

He got a walrus too..

10-19-11, 06:51 PM	#6
CaptainMattJ. The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,364 Downloads: 55 Uploads: 0	dont worry it shouldnt be hard to take down the lions. i mean, if the 49ers could do it... __________________ A popular Government without popular information nor the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives - James Madison

10-19-11, 07:22 PM	#7
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,362 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Are the officials even trying to tranquilize the escaped animals? I fully understand the justification for shooting them if they pose a threat. But I would like, when possible, for them to consider non-lethal ways also. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

10-19-11, 06:18 AM	#2
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	Looks like the Privateer household will have a variety of game on their bbq grill.

10-19-11, 07:51 AM	#3
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	This is all over the news here... very bizarre story. They are not saying (and probably don't know yet) how the owner was killed - if someone else killed him and let the critters out, or if he opened everything and then killed himself. They are saying that he had a criminal record and was just recently released from prison where he'd been for a year on a firearms charge... which makes me wonder, who was taking care of the animals and compound in his absence, and where are they now? They have people from the Columbus Zoo on site and they are hoping that when more animals are sighted they can shoot them with tranquilizers and remove them without any more of them having to be killed. That will depend on the situation and how the animals react if they can get the tranqulizers in them - if they can't take them alive safely it will mean the critters will have to be killed instead as they are (obviously) making public safety the primary concern. The public is being advised to stay indoors and stay in their cars if they are traveling through the area. Area schools have been closed. What a bizarre situation. I just hope it's not the work of someone who thought he/she was making some statement about animal rights... certainly doesn't justify the death of the owner and it didn't do the animals any favors either as unfortunately most of them will probably end up being killed.