OH-Exotic animal farm owner found dead-48 wild animals escape

[Lera213]

Brown and Black Bears
Cheetahs
Lions
Tiger
Not good!

 

[colette]

oops I found there was a thread on this on up to the minute news, sorry.

 

[Lera213]

They are shooting them to kill, statement was that they are large and aggressive. This tells me that the probable cause of death to Mr. Thompson was by one of those animals. MOO

 

[Lera213]

They are shooting the animals to kill. That tells me that probably Mr. Thompson might have been killed by one of the animals. They are aggressive they stated too so this lends me to believe the COD will be by these animals.

I agree could be a person who is an animal rights activist that did this.

 

[Charlie09]

Though animal-rights activists had wanted Mazzola charged with reckless homicide, the caretaker's death was ruled a workplace accident. The bear was later destroyed.

This summer, Mazzola was found dead on a water bed, wearing a mask and with his arms and legs restrained, at his home in Columbia Township, about 15 miles southwest of Cleveland.

Read more: http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/state/police-in-ohio-say-exotic-animals-loose#ixzz1bC0Ev5ep

You know this might be the work of animal rights group. Might be murder in both cases.

my first thought when I saw the headline....what are the odds?

 

[Herding Cats]

They are shooting the animals to kill. That tells me that probably Mr. Thompson might have been killed by one of the animals. They are aggressive they stated too so this lends me to believe the COD will be by these animals.

I agree could be a person who is an animal rights activist that did this.

I'd agree...except how did the cages of "very big, aggressive" animals get opened then? I cAan almost guarantee that they're not all kept in the same pen...

I think you might be right...some activist may be involved...and if he was killed by an animal, it could've gone like this...

He is working somewhere away from the cages. He sees one/more animal running around that should not be. He goes out, sees cages open, gets attacked by one of the animals, and is killed. Animals get loose, LE starts getting calls, and the rest is what's been reported.

Could've happened that way...and they may not have removed his body yet, because it might still be dangerous, if animals are lurking around the area.

Sigh.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[mysteriew]

A man named Terry Thompson, who rescued wild animals was found dead outside near the cages. The cages were open and the wild and aggressive animals have escaped. Some have already been found and shot by officers. Nearby zoo officials are helping and are loaning out tranquilizer guns. It was said he had 48 animals and a history of problems with animal care and guns. No word if this was a murder or suicide yet.
People are urged to stay indoors in this area of Ohio.


http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20111018/NEWS01/111018015

From that article it occurred to me that he may have had someone targeting him through the system. I mean between 2004 and 2009 he had 11 misdemeanor charges. Who pays that much attention to him that he acculmulates 11 misdemeanors? I wish they had told what those 11 misdemeanors were for and whether or not he was convicted.

And of the charges they talk about, at least some of them you would almost have to know him to know about them. His guns he might have talked about or showed off, thus word got around. Complaints that the animals weren't taken care of, you would almost have to have been there.

I kind of wonder how the neighbors felt about all those wild animals in their neighborhood. But I can't see them letting them out to run free.

It should be interesting to find out how he died.

 

[SuziQ]

Article including video from the Today Show. Article states the owners death is suspected to be suicide.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44953...-shot-after-escape-wild-animal-preserve-ohio/

OT, WTH is Anne Curry wearing?

 

[Turtles]

Well, I am from a "smallish" town in Louisiana---not exactly the hub of civilization, but even I have heard of tranquilizer guns. Why on earth would you shoot to kill an animal that has NOT attacked a human? Why not tranquilize the animal and move it to a place where it is secure and not a threat to other species?

I saw Jack Hanna on GMA this morning and he stated the animals could not be tranquilized at night/dark as they may hide and or become more aggressive when injured or frightened which would make it even more of a safety risk for all involved. Sorry no link.

 

[AnaTeresa]

From that article it occurred to me that he may have had someone targeting him through the system. I mean between 2004 and 2009 he had 11 misdemeanor charges. Who pays that much attention to him that he acculmulates 11 misdemeanors? I wish they had told what those 11 misdemeanors were for and whether or not he was convicted.

And of the charges they talk about, at least some of them you would almost have to know him to know about them. His guns he might have talked about or showed off, thus word got around. Complaints that the animals weren't taken care of, you would almost have to have been there.

I kind of wonder how the neighbors felt about all those wild animals in their neighborhood. But I can't see them letting them out to run free.

It should be interesting to find out how he died.

I work in a criminal defense law firm. Trust me, people are stupid. They don't have to be targeted to rack up 11 misdemeanors in 5 years. We have clients with serious cases pending, who go out and do stupid things. People drive under suspended licenses. They rack up multiple DUIs. Some people just don't learn from their mistakes.

I'm not too far from this area (about an hour), and I was definitely keeping myself extra alert as I walked outside to my car this morning. I don't think the animals would have made it close to my house, but who knows how much of a head start they had. At least Jack Hanna and the zoo is on the scene now, and hopefully this will prevent more animals being shot. I understand why they couldn't wait for tranquilizers last night, but I really wish the innocent animals didn't have to be shot.

 

[SuziQ]

Update as of Wed. 10-19-2011 8:30 am:

Jack Hanna has joined the search for these exotic animals. Authorities say to stay inside your home if you live in Muskingum or Licking counties.

Hanna says that he believes because of the rain, the animals are most likely "hunkered down" but if anyone comes in contact with them -- DON'T RUN! Just scream.

More:
http://www.abc6onyourside.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wsyx_vid_14057.shtml

 

[angela]

I absolutely hated seeing the pictures of the animals that were shot but living an hour south of there, I'm OK with it. These animals are big, powerful, frightened and HUNGRY. I do hope the zoo can capture some alive but I also feel the public is in danger. This is crazy.

 

[Quiche]

What a mess... I feel badly for the animals, it doesn't seem fair.

Frightening situation, I hope no citizen encounters the animals, but now that I said that, how many hunting maniacs do you think grabbed their biggest rifle to tromp around outside? Yikes.

 

[angela]

What a mess... I feel badly for the animals, it doesn't seem fair.

Frightening situation, I hope no citizen encounters the animals, but now that I said that, how many hunting maniacs do you think grabbed their biggest rifle to tromp around outside? Yikes.

It is a very sad situation. I cant understand how he couldn't care about the animals. Did he really want this fate for them? It seems his beef with with society so why sacrifice the animals?

 

[LisainWV]

It's a shame this guy is already dead...he needs a royal a$$-kicking for what he did....he had to have known these animals would be destroyed...

I never used to be this radical, but I don't even like the circus anymore....LEAVE THESE ANIMALS WHERE GOD PUT THEM!!!!

This is one of the saddest stories I have seen for a while....

 

[Quiche]

It is a very sad situation. I cant understand how he couldn't care about the animals. Did he really want this fate for them? It seems his beef with with society so why sacrifice the animals?

I'm wondering why the animals left his carcass? Maybe that's what he wanted them to do... so he could "become" them. You never know what people can dream up. jmo

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Presser Recap

Sheriff Lutz says there are a total of 56 animals. 48 have been put down, and 2 are still missing (a monkey, and a wolf). The rest were taken into custody by the Columbus Zoo.

Jack Hanna from the Columbus Zoo also spoke at the presser..great guy. I'm really glad he's there, and has been involved.

Sheriff Lutz says it's very possible that the monkey that's still on the loose has herpes b.

Included in the animals that were shot/killed were 18 bengal tigers and considering there's only 1800 left in the world, that's incredible that Mr. Thompson owned 18 of them.

Mr. Thompsons wife has been assisting officials. She requested the animals that were killed be buried on their property, so that's what the Dept of Agriculture did.

"Looks like Mr. Thompson killed himself. No other information available on him at this time".

Next presser at 10:00am eastern time tomorrow.

 

[Quiche]

Omg, 18 Bengal Tigers??? :cry:

 

[KaylynnCouture]

Omg, 18 Bengal Tigers??? :cry:

This is an extremely sad story. As an animal lover, I'm devestated.

 

[SailorMoon]

I have been upset, mad and sad since I heard this story today. I've had an email on draft to the sheriff's dept all day asking them if they ever heard of tranquilizer guns or why the zoo wasn't called in last night and if they feel like big bad strong men now that they've shot some precious animals. Those animals are scared and confused. I very highly doubt they would be attacking anyone, I really do. Criticize me and my thoughts all you want, but it's sad and a loss of preciouls wildlife. And if the owner did open all the cages or wildlife protectors, then they should be b-slapped and then hung because it was almost certain that men would have to go gung ho and kill them all. Signed - sad and mad