Big Game Animals Terrorize Small Ohio Town

Authorities say owner, Terry Thompson, released some 50 wild animals from the Muskingam County Animal Farm before killing himself, leaving Bengal tigers, lions, black bears, wolves, and other dangerous animals to patrol the area freely. Schools and roads were closed as sheriffs and volunteers hunted-down the 50-some-odd beasts and were forced to kill most of them. 

Some were tranquilized, but there were not a lot of tranquilizers to go around, there is no good way to tranquilize an animal of that size and demeanor at night, and human safety was of the utmost concern.

At the time of this writing, there are still at least four unnamed creatures on the loose throughout the county and surrounding areas. Residents are being told to stay inside.

Ohio apparently has wild animal auctions and numerous wild animal farms similar to this one which need to be shut down. Authorities say they paid numerous visits to the Muskingam County Animal Farm in recent years, but had little luck in closing it.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011