Police in Ohio were tasked with rounding up wild animals after they were released from captivity by their owner, before he killed himself. A lot of the animals had to be shot by police because of the danger they posed to the residents of the local area, some of the fifty animals killed include 18 rare Bengal tigers and 17 lions.
The owner of the animals Terry Thompson had opened the animals cadges, he then committed suicide in what’s thought to be a act of spite against his neighbours. Thompson had recently been in jail on weapons charges and had a record for animal cruelty.
Homeowners in the area hid indoors while officers armed with high-powered rifles and shoot-to-kill orders scoured the nearby area including fields and woodland. 54 animals were released, 48 were killed by officers, six other animals, were captured and taken to Columbus Zoo they were; three leopards, a grizzly bear and two monkeys. Later on a wolf was found dead however a monkey is still left missing.
The decision by police to shoot and kill the animals may have not necessarily been a popular idea however there was the worry that if tranquilisers were used the animals could escape in the darkness before they dropped and would later regain consciousness.
The animals were released in Zanesville, which has a population of 25,000, local schools in the mainly rural area were closed and residents were urged to stay indoors along with their pets. Motorists were also alerted with flashing signs along highways which said ‘Caution exotic animals’ and ‘Stay in vehicle.’
as presented on shockingtimes.co.uk
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