2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape: Difference between revisions

2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape
2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape
	39°56′48″N 82°03′45″W / 39.9466772°N 82.0625522°W
Date closed	October 2011
Location	Muskingum County, Ohio, United States

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The 2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape occurred on October 18, 2011, when the owner of Muskingum County Animal Farm released multiple exotic animals before dying by suicide. 48 animals were subsequently killed by law enforcement.

Background

Muskingum County Animal Farm was a private zoo located in Zanesville, Ohio, United States.

The animal farm had been repeatedly reported for inadequate and unsafe housing for the animals, as well as insufficient water and food. Neighbors had previously complained of animals escaping "improper fencing" and causing damage to neighboring property.^[1]

The escape

On October 18, 2011, owner Terry Thompson allegedly set free 50 of his 56 exotic animals before taking his own life by shooting himself in the head. Lions, tigers, bears and wolves were among the animals that escaped and were hunted by local law enforcement out of fear for public safety.^[2]

Forty-eight animals were killed by the local police while two were presumed eaten by the other animals.^[3]^[4] The animals confirmed to be dead were eighteen bengal tigers, six black bears, two grizzly bears, two wolves, one macaque monkey, one baboon, three mountain lions, and seventeen african lions (nine males and eight females).^[4] Three leopards, a small grizzly bear, and two monkeys were left caged inside Thompson's home. These animals were tranquilized and sent to the Columbus Zoo.^[5]

Perpetrator

Terry Thompson, a Vietnam War veteran, was a lifelong collector of exotic animals. He had acted as an animal handler on Wild Kingdom in 2008, and provided a lion cub to a photoshoot with Heidi Klum.^[6] In the years leading up to his death, he went to prison on federal gun charges, was heavily in debt, and his wife had left him.^[7]

Reactions

Jack Hanna, TV wildlife expert and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, lamented the killings but deemed the police actions necessary.^[8] Ohio governor John Kasich called for a temporary moratorium on the sale of exotic animals.^[4]

Troy Balderson, Zanesville's representative in the Ohio Senate at the time, sponsored a bill requiring a permit and liability insurance for private owners of dangerous wild animals in the next legislative session.^[9]^[10] The bill was signed into law on June 5th, 2012, and owners were required to have permits by January 1st, 2014. Ohio had not regulated exotic animal ownership previously.^[11]

References

^ Lynch, Rene (October 21, 2011). "Exotic Animals Endured Abuse, Neglect at Ohio farm, Documents Say". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
^ "Ohio Sheriff: Only One Monkey Remains Missing". CBS News. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
^ Muskal, Michael (January 18, 2012). "Ohio Farmer Spoke of Troubles Before Freeing Exotic Animals". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c Leckrone, Jim (October 19, 2011). "Ohio Governor to Sign Order on 'Dangerous Animals'". Reuters. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
^ "Bears, Tigers, Lions and Wolves Escape from Ohio Zoo". BBC. October 19, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
^ "Heidi Klum Session Used Animal from Ohio Farm". CBS News. October 21, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
^ "Exotic Animal Owner Terry Thompson: What Happened?". People. October 22, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
^ "Jack Hanna on Zanesville, Ohio, Animals: 'We Would Have Had Carnage'". ABC News. October 19, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
^ "Senate Bill 310 | 129th General Assembly". Ohio Legislature. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
^ "Dangerous Wild Animals". Ohio Department of Agriculture. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
^ Johnson, Alan (June 5, 2012). "Exotic animal bill becomes law". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2024.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{short description|Animal escape in Ohio zoo}}
-{{distinguish|The Wilds}}
 {{use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
 {{Infobox zoo
@@ Line 22: / Line 21: @@
 |website          =
 }}
+The '''2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape''' occurred on October 18, 2011, when the owner of Muskingum County Animal Farm released multiple exotic animals before dying by [[suicide]]. 48 animals were subsequently killed by law enforcement.
-'''Muskingum County Animal Farm''' was a private [[zoo]] located in [[Zanesville]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]].
+==Background==
-The [[Muskingum County, Ohio|Muskingum County]] animal farm had been repeatedly reported for inadequate and unsafe housing for the animals, as well as insufficient water and food.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/exotic-animals-suffered-abuse-neglect-and-injury-at-ohio-farm-documents-show.html |title= Exotic Animals Endured Abuse, Neglect at Ohio farm, Documents Say |first= Rene |last= Lynch |newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date= October 21, 2011 |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref>
+Muskingum County Animal Farm was a private [[zoo]] located in [[Zanesville]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]].
+The animal farm had been repeatedly reported for inadequate and unsafe housing for the animals, as well as insufficient water and food. Neighbors had previously complained of animals escaping "improper fencing" and causing damage to neighboring property.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/10/exotic-animals-suffered-abuse-neglect-and-injury-at-ohio-farm-documents-show.html |title= Exotic Animals Endured Abuse, Neglect at Ohio farm, Documents Say |first= Rene |last= Lynch |newspaper= [[Los Angeles Times]] |date= October 21, 2011 |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref>
-==Exotic animal escape==
-On October 18, 2011, dozens of exotic animals were released from their enclosures.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2011/10/18/Wild-animals-loose-in-Muskingum-County.html |title= Sheriff: 56 Exotic Animals Escaped from Farm near Zanesville; 49 killed by Authorities |newspaper= [[The Columbus Dispatch]] |date= October 19, 2011 |first1= Josh |last1= Jarman |first2= Quan |last2= Truong |first3= Jim |last3= Woods |first4= Brenda |last4= Jackson |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref> [[Lion]]s, [[tiger]]s, [[bear]]s,<ref>Oh, my!</ref> and [[wolf|wolves]] were among the animals that escaped and were hunted by local law enforcement out of fear for public safety.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/19/national/main20122674.shtml |title= Ohio Sheriff: Only One Monkey Remains Missing |work= [[CBS News]] |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref> Owner Terry Thompson allegedly set free 50 of his 56 exotic animals before committing [[suicide]] by shooting himself in the head. Forty-eight animals were killed by the local police while two were presumed eaten by the other animals.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/18/nation/la-na-exotic-animals-20120119 |title= Ohio Farmer Spoke of Troubles Before Freeing Exotic Animals |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date= January 18, 2012 |access-date= October 21, 2015 |last= Muskal |first= Michael}}</ref><ref name=reuters>{{cite news |last= Leckrone |first= Jim |title= Ohio Governor to Sign Order on 'Dangerous Animals' |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ohio-animals-loose-idUSTRE79I0U720111020 |access-date= October 21, 2015 |publisher= [[Reuters]] |date= October 19, 2011}}</ref> The animals confirmed to be dead were eighteen tigers, six [[American black bear|black bears]], two [[Grizzly bear|grizzly bears]], two wolves, one [[Macaque|macaque monkey]], one [[baboon]], three [[Cougar|mountain lions]], nine male lions, and eight lionesses.<ref name=reuters/> Three [[Leopard|leopards]], a small bear, and two monkeys were left caged inside Thompson's home. These animals were tranquilized and sent to the [[Columbus Zoo and Aquarium|Columbus Zoo]].<ref name=bbc>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15364027 |title=Bears, Tigers, Lions and Wolves Escape from Ohio Zoo |publisher=[[BBC]] |date= October 19, 2011 |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref> One of the surviving leopards was subsequently injured in an accident at the zoo and was euthanized.<ref>{{cite news |title =Leopard from Exotic Animal Farm Dies in Ohio Zoo |url= https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-01-30/leopard-dead-zanesville-ohio/52892036/1 |access-date= October 21, 2015 |newspaper= [[USA Today]] |date= January 30, 2012}}</ref>
-==Terry Thompson==
+==The escape==
-Terry Thompson, a [[Vietnam War]] veteran, was a lifelong collector of exotic animals. In the years leading up to his death he went to prison on federal gun charges, he was heavily in debt, and his wife had left him.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Exotic Animal Owner Terry Thompson: What Happened? |url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20539200,00.html |access-date= October 21, 2015 |journal= [[People (magazine)|People]] |date= October 22, 2011}}</ref> He had acted as an animal handler on [[Wild Kingdom]] in 2008, and provided a lion cub to a photoshoot with [[Heidi Klum]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500202_162-20123690/heidi-klum-session-used-animal-from-ohio-farm/ |title= Heidi Klum Session Used Animal from Ohio Farm |work= CBS News |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref>
+On October 18, 2011, owner Terry Thompson allegedly set free 50 of his 56 exotic animals before [[suicide|taking his own life]] by shooting himself in the head. [[Lion]]s, [[tiger]]s, [[bear]]s and [[wolf|wolves]] were among the animals that escaped and were hunted by local law enforcement out of fear for public safety.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-sheriff-only-one-monkey-remains-missing/ |title= Ohio Sheriff: Only One Monkey Remains Missing |work= [[CBS News]] |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref>
+Forty-eight animals were killed by the local police while two were presumed eaten by the other animals.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2012-jan-18-la-na-exotic-animals-20120119-story.html |title= Ohio Farmer Spoke of Troubles Before Freeing Exotic Animals |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date= January 18, 2012 |access-date= October 21, 2015 |last= Muskal |first= Michael}}</ref><ref name=reuters>{{cite news |last= Leckrone |first= Jim |title= Ohio Governor to Sign Order on 'Dangerous Animals' |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ohio-animals-loose-idUSTRE79I0U720111020 |access-date= October 21, 2015 |publisher= [[Reuters]] |date= October 19, 2011}}</ref> The animals confirmed to be dead were eighteen [[Bengal tiger|bengal tigers]], six [[American black bear|black bears]], two [[Grizzly bear|grizzly bears]], two wolves, one [[Macaque|macaque monkey]], one [[baboon]], three [[Cougar|mountain lions]], and seventeen [[Lion|african lions]] (nine males and eight females).<ref name=reuters/> Three [[Leopard|leopards]], a small grizzly bear, and two monkeys were left caged inside Thompson's home. These animals were tranquilized and sent to the [[Columbus Zoo and Aquarium|Columbus Zoo]].<ref name=bbc>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15364027 |title=Bears, Tigers, Lions and Wolves Escape from Ohio Zoo |publisher=[[BBC]] |date= October 19, 2011 |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref>
+==Perpetrator==
+Terry Thompson, a [[Vietnam War]] veteran, was a lifelong collector of exotic animals. He had acted as an animal handler on ''[[Wild Kingdom]]'' in 2008, and provided a lion cub to a photoshoot with [[Heidi Klum]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heidi-klum-session-used-animal-from-ohio-farm/ |title= Heidi Klum Session Used Animal from Ohio Farm |work= [[CBS News]] |access-date= April 17, 2024|date= October 21, 2011}}</ref> In the years leading up to his death, he went to prison on federal gun charges, was heavily in debt, and his wife had left him.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Exotic Animal Owner Terry Thompson: What Happened? |url= https://people.com/celebrity/terry-thompson-ohio-zoo-owner-the-inside-story/ |access-date= April 15, 2024 |journal= [[People (magazine)|People]] |date= October 22, 2011}}</ref>
 ==Reactions==
-[[Jack Hanna]], TV wildlife expert and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, lamented the killings but deemed the police actions necessary.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/10/jack-hanna-on-zanesville-ohio-animals-we-would-have-had-carnage |title= Jack Hanna on Zanesville, Ohio, Animals: 'We Would Have Had Carnage' |work= [[ABC News]] |date= October 19, 2011 |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref> Ohio governor [[John Kasich]] called for a temporary [[moratorium (law)|moratorium]] on the sale of exotic animals.<ref name=reuters/>
+[[Jack Hanna]], TV wildlife expert and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, lamented the killings but deemed the police actions necessary.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2011/10/jack-hanna-on-zanesville-ohio-animals-we-would-have-had-carnage |title= Jack Hanna on Zanesville, Ohio, Animals: 'We Would Have Had Carnage' |work= [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date= October 19, 2011 |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref> Ohio governor [[John Kasich]] called for a temporary [[moratorium (law)|moratorium]] on the sale of exotic animals.<ref name=reuters/>
-In August 2012, [[United Kingdom|Britain]]'s [[Channel 4]] broadcast a documentary on the animal release called ''America's Animal Hoarder: Horror at the Zoo'', featuring footage of Thompson's animals and interviews with those who brought the situation under control.<ref>{{deadlink|date=June 2019}}{{cite news |url= http://www.channel4.com/programmes/americas-animal-hoarder-horror-at-the-zoo/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1 |title= America's Animal Hoarder: Horror at the Zoo |publisher= [[Channel 4]] |access-date= October 21, 2015}}</ref>
+[[Troy Balderson]], Zanesville's representative in the [[Ohio Senate]] at the time, sponsored a bill requiring a permit and liability insurance for private owners of dangerous wild animals in the next legislative session.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/129/sb310 |title=Senate Bill 310 &#124; 129th General Assembly |website=Ohio Legislature |access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/resources/dangerous-wild-animals |title=Dangerous Wild Animals |website=Ohio Department of Agriculture |access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref> The bill was signed into law on June 5th, 2012, and owners were required to have permits by January 1st, 2014. Ohio had not regulated exotic animal ownership previously.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Alan |date=June 5, 2012 |title=Exotic animal bill becomes law |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2012/06/05/exotic-animal-bill-becomes-law/23987164007/ |url-status=live |location=Columbus Dispatch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315021127/https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2012/06/05/exotic-animal-bill-becomes-law/23987164007/ |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |access-date=November 29, 2024 }}</ref>
-The [[Netflix]] documentary ''[[Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness]]'' references the event in Episode 1 of Season 1. It includes footage of the escape and reactions from other private owners of exotic animals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.netflix.com/title/81115994|title=Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness {{!}} Netflix Official Site|website=www.netflix.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
 ==References==
@@ Line 48: / Line 52: @@
 {{Zoos of Ohio}}
 [[Category:2011 animal deaths]]
-[[Category:2011 disestablishments in Ohio]]
 [[Category:2011 in Ohio]]
-[[Category:2011 in the United States]]
+[[Category:October 2011 events in the United States]]
 [[Category:Animals shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]]
-[[Category:Animal deaths in Ohio]]
+[[Category:Animal deaths in the United States]]
 [[Category:Animal welfare]]
 [[Category:Former zoos]]
@@ Line 61: / Line 63: @@
 [[Category:Deaths by firearm in Ohio]]
 [[Category:Zoos in Ohio]]
-[[Category:Zoos disestablished in 2011]]
+[[Category:Zoos disestablished in the 2010s]]
+[[Category:Educational organizations disestablished in 2011]]
 [[Category:Zanesville, Ohio]]
 [[Category:Missing or escaped animals]]

v t e Zoos of Ohio
Zoos	African Safari Wildlife Park Akron Zoo Bird Nerds Rescue and Sanctuary Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The Farm at Walnut Creek Horsefeathers Farm Kalahari Resorts Lagoon Deer Park Noah's Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary Toledo Zoo The Wilds
Aquariums	Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Defunct	Heaven's Corner Muskingum County Animal Farm Rolling Ridge Ranch SeaWorld Ohio Wagon Trails Animal Park