DinoDB1975
Super Freak
WTF? What was the owner thinking? Obviously he had mental issues, but if he wanted to end his own life, call Animal Control or something.
"A tiger cub for $700.
A baby cougar for $675.
And a 2-year-old giraffe for $25,000.
Private collectors actively trade in exotic animals all over the United States in a vibrant and poorly regulated market. One such collector created a day of fear and outrage after he turned loose dozens of lions, tigers, bears and other exotic animals in a small Ohio town and then shot himself Tuesday night.
Terry Thompson, 62, was found dead on his property. Through the night and into Wednesday afternoon, the animals from his private menagerie became the victims of an impromptu big-game hunt by sheriff’s deputies seeking to protect residents in Zanesville.
Schools were closed Wednesday, and residents were advised to stay indoors. Callers to 911 reported lions, bears and unidentified large mammals in back yards, wandering through cemeteries and near highways.
Deputies shot and killed 18 rare Bengal tigers, 17 lions, six black bears, two grizzlies, three mountain lions and a baboon, the Associated Press reported. Three leopards, two monkeys and a grizzly bear were captured and sent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. A wolf was found dead, and a monkey was still at large.
Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz told reporters that officers were ordered to kill the animals rather than sedate them for fear that those hit with darts would escape into the darkness before they dropped. “These animals were on the move. They were showing aggressive behavior,” Lutz said."
Full article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...ohio/2011/10/19/gIQA9i3yyL_story.html?hpid=z4
"A tiger cub for $700.
A baby cougar for $675.
And a 2-year-old giraffe for $25,000.
Private collectors actively trade in exotic animals all over the United States in a vibrant and poorly regulated market. One such collector created a day of fear and outrage after he turned loose dozens of lions, tigers, bears and other exotic animals in a small Ohio town and then shot himself Tuesday night.
Terry Thompson, 62, was found dead on his property. Through the night and into Wednesday afternoon, the animals from his private menagerie became the victims of an impromptu big-game hunt by sheriff’s deputies seeking to protect residents in Zanesville.
Schools were closed Wednesday, and residents were advised to stay indoors. Callers to 911 reported lions, bears and unidentified large mammals in back yards, wandering through cemeteries and near highways.
Deputies shot and killed 18 rare Bengal tigers, 17 lions, six black bears, two grizzlies, three mountain lions and a baboon, the Associated Press reported. Three leopards, two monkeys and a grizzly bear were captured and sent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. A wolf was found dead, and a monkey was still at large.
Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz told reporters that officers were ordered to kill the animals rather than sedate them for fear that those hit with darts would escape into the darkness before they dropped. “These animals were on the move. They were showing aggressive behavior,” Lutz said."
Full article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...ohio/2011/10/19/gIQA9i3yyL_story.html?hpid=z4
. He could have taken his time, set traps, and captured the animals (like you said), but that would have been at the risk of someone getting killed by one of the large tigers or bears, as well as local businesses being shut down indefinitely. In the end, he chose to take the swiftest route (with public safety in mind), which was to kill the animals, and now he's getting the heat from animal advocates worldwide. 
