I am writing this blog in red for a reason…..Right now I am sadden and really pissed off about something that happened in Ohio this week….We made National and International news with this event and it was for all the wrong reasons….
A man who owned a 73 acre farm wit 56 Exotic Animals decided to commit suicide…..
Before he did, he released the animals from their cages and then shot himself….and was surrounded by chicken carcasses which he used to feed the animals.
This was the result of his careless thinking and actions:
The county sheriffs had to shoot and kill 47 beautiful animals that were allowed to escape their cages onto a farm surrounded by smooth livestock wire, and to run loose in a community of 25,000 people…..(one more was hit by a car on the interstate, and a monkey was killed by one of the large cats)
These animals included:
Six black bears
two grizzly bears
nine male lions
eight lionesses
one baboon
three mountain lions
18 tigers
and two wolves
Now fortunately, 6 animals were rescued and taken to the Columbus Zoo where they were put into isolation and observed….one young grizzly bear, three leopards (one a black leopard) and two Celebes macaques (a breed of monkey)
First they were fed and allowed to just recover from what must have been a traumatic experience. The whereabouts of one animal, a monkey is unknown; but since 1 monkey was killed by one of the large “cats”, they are assuming the remaining monkey may have been eaten.
It is not known why exactly that the man decided to release the animals before he shot himself, or why he resorted to this action at all. Some say it was because he was getting a divorce and others because the cost and caring for these animals may have become too much of a financial burden.
The killed animals were buried on the property at the recommendation of Jack Hanna, the director emeritus of the Columbus zoo.
"I'm sorry for what happened to these animals. But also for what could have happened to people. Let's hope this never has to happen again in any state. This is a tragedy for the animal world. It could have been a bigger tragedy for the human world," Hanna said. Veterinarians were at the scene and if it was possible to tranquilize any of the loose animals without harming human life, but the animals were released close to dusk on a rainy day, and one animal who had been tranquilized then charged at the vet and had to be put down…..They were probably hungry, and scared and just trying to seek shelter from the weather….But they were WILD animals.
Someone attempted to steal the carcass of one of the big cats Tuesday night.
Ohio has some of the nation's weakest restrictions on exotic pets and among the highest number of injuries and deaths caused by them. In 2010, an animal caretaker was killed by a bear at a property in Cleveland.
On Wednesday, the Humane Society of the United States criticized Gov. John Kasich for allowing a statewide ban on the buying and selling of exotic pets to expire in April. The organization urged the state to immediately issue emergency restrictions.
My thoughts are that if this man loved these animals, why did he not contact the Columbus Zoo or “The Wilds”, a conservation center in Zanesville, and turn these animals over to an authority that would know how to handle them better BEFORE he released them and took his own life….
If you would like to read more about this, here is the link:
Can you imagine how these sheriffs must feel about having to kill these wonderful animals? They have to go home and think of this every night and perhaps answer to young children who will not understand. Although they did what was right for the safety of humans, they are all sadden by having to kill these animals….
The autopsy on this man confirmed he had commited suicide and then was bitten by one of the larger cats, perhaps even dragged, within seconds after him shooting himself.
Rest in peace lovely animals…..May this never happen again…..
Hugs and Love to all!
My heart goes out to the Sheriff and his men for they did what they had to do and it would have been very hard for them knowing if they didn't shoot, one of these beautiful animal may have taken someone life,and your so right may it never happen again
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Sue
Hi Sheraven I' m Sheila from across the Pond I was very saddened by this post. What a terrible thing to happen the sherrifs must have been in such a dilema. It maddens me and saddens me. This silly man why would he want to do something like this . I hope you don't mind I can only comment annoymous (Catches the Eye) Very sad thank you for posting this Sheila.
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