2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Animal escape in Ohio zoo}} |
{{short description|Animal escape in Ohio zoo}} |
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{{use mdy dates|date=October 2015}} |
{{use mdy dates|date=October 2015}} |
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{{Infobox zoo |
{{Infobox zoo |
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|zoo_name = Muskingum County Animal Farm |
|zoo_name = Muskingum County Animal Farm |
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|website = |
|website = |
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Muskingum County Animal Farm was a private [[zoo]] located in [[Zanesville]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]]. |
Muskingum County Animal Farm was a private [[zoo]] located in [[Zanesville]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]]. |
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==The escape== |
==The escape== |
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On October 18, 2011, owner Terry Thompson allegedly set free 50 of his 56 exotic animals before |
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> |
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Forty-eight animals were killed by the local police while two were presumed eaten by the other animals.<ref>{{cite web | url= |
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> |
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==Perpetrator== |
==Perpetrator== |
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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= |
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> |
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==Reactions== |
==Reactions== |
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[[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/> |
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[[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 | 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> |
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In August 2012, the United Kingdom'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> |
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Season 3, Episode 2 of ''[[Fatal Attractions (TV program)]]'' focuses on Terry's life and the events leading to the escape. |
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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> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Zoos of Ohio}} |
{{Zoos of Ohio}} |
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[[Category:2011 animal deaths]] |
[[Category:2011 animal deaths]] |
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[[Category:2011 disestablishments in Ohio]] |
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[[Category:2011 in Ohio]] |
[[Category:2011 in Ohio]] |
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[[Category:October 2011 events in the United States]] |
[[Category:October 2011 events in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Animals shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]] |
[[Category:Animals shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Animal deaths in |
[[Category:Animal deaths in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Animal welfare]] |
[[Category:Animal welfare]] |
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[[Category:Former zoos]] |
[[Category:Former zoos]] |
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[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Ohio]] |
[[Category:Deaths by firearm in Ohio]] |
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[[Category:Zoos in Ohio]] |
[[Category:Zoos in Ohio]] |
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[[Category:Zoos disestablished in |
[[Category:Zoos disestablished in the 2010s]] |
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[[Category:Educational organizations disestablished in 2011]] |
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[[Category:Zanesville, Ohio]] |
[[Category:Zanesville, Ohio]] |
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[[Category:Missing or escaped animals]] |
[[Category:Missing or escaped animals]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:35, 30 November 2024
| 2011 Zanesville, Ohio animal escape | |
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| 39°56′48″N 82°03′45″W / 39.9466772°N 82.0625522°W | |
| Date closed | October 2011 |
| Location | Muskingum County, Ohio, United States |
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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ 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.
Further reading
[edit]- Heath, Chris (March 2012). "18 Tigers, 17 Lions, 8 Bears, 3 Cougars, 2 Wolves, 1 Baboon, 1 Macaque, and 1 Man Dead in Ohio". GQ.
- Jones, Chris (February 6, 2012). "Animals: The Horrific True Story of the Zanesville Zoo Massacre". Esquire.
- Lynch, Rene (October 20, 2011). "Exotic Animals: 18 Tiger Deaths a Cruel Blow to Imperiled Species". Los Angeles Times.
- Nasaw, Daniel (October 20, 2011). "Why Wild Animals Do Not Make Good Pets". BBC News.
Categories:
- 2011 animal deaths
- 2011 in Ohio
- October 2011 events in the United States
- Animals shot dead by law enforcement officers in the United States
- Animal deaths in the United States
- Animal welfare
- Former zoos
- Suicides by firearm in Ohio
- Deaths by firearm in Ohio
- Zoos in Ohio
- Zoos disestablished in the 2010s
- Educational organizations disestablished in 2011
- Zanesville, Ohio
- Missing or escaped animals