Once again wild creatures pay the price for man's shocking selfishness. Forty-eight animals held in captivity near Zanesville, Ohio by a deranged man were shot and killed by sheriff's deputies. The man released lions, tigers, bears, cougars, wolves and leopards from his private menagerie before committing suicide. Concerned for public safety and approaching darkness, deputies were given orders to kill the captive wild animals in a slaughter than continued all night. Only three leopards, a grizzly bear and two monkeys survived. No humans were injured. The horrific incident drives home the extreme need to strictly regulate on a national level the captivity of endangered species. Eighteen Bengal tigers were killed by law enforcement officers. There are only about 1400 wild Bengal tigers in the entire world. Ohio has some of the most lax exotic animal laws in the United States and among the highest number of injuries and deaths involving wild animals in captivity. The Humane Society of the US has advocated increased restrictions on private ownership of potentially dangerous exotic animals. The animal welfare organization criticized the Ohio governor for allowing the state ban on selling or buying exotic animals to expire in April of this year. The man's motive for releasing his captives to face destruction is unknown, but a neighbor reported that "nobody much cared for him". He had been charged over the years with animal cruelty, neglect, and allowing animals to roam. In tragic hindsight the suicide victim was not an individual of sufficient character to be entrusted with the care of rare, beautiful animals that were totally depended on him for their survival.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Slaughter in Ohio
Once again wild creatures pay the price for man's shocking selfishness. Forty-eight animals held in captivity near Zanesville, Ohio by a deranged man were shot and killed by sheriff's deputies. The man released lions, tigers, bears, cougars, wolves and leopards from his private menagerie before committing suicide. Concerned for public safety and approaching darkness, deputies were given orders to kill the captive wild animals in a slaughter than continued all night. Only three leopards, a grizzly bear and two monkeys survived. No humans were injured. The horrific incident drives home the extreme need to strictly regulate on a national level the captivity of endangered species. Eighteen Bengal tigers were killed by law enforcement officers. There are only about 1400 wild Bengal tigers in the entire world. Ohio has some of the most lax exotic animal laws in the United States and among the highest number of injuries and deaths involving wild animals in captivity. The Humane Society of the US has advocated increased restrictions on private ownership of potentially dangerous exotic animals. The animal welfare organization criticized the Ohio governor for allowing the state ban on selling or buying exotic animals to expire in April of this year. The man's motive for releasing his captives to face destruction is unknown, but a neighbor reported that "nobody much cared for him". He had been charged over the years with animal cruelty, neglect, and allowing animals to roam. In tragic hindsight the suicide victim was not an individual of sufficient character to be entrusted with the care of rare, beautiful animals that were totally depended on him for their survival.