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ZANESVILLE, Ohio — Authorities in Muskingum County say they have recovered most of the exotic animals that were running loose since they were set free, apparently by their owner, last night.
The owner of the exotic animal farm, Terry Thompson, was found dead yesterday in his house. Sheriff Matt Lutz said Thompson apparently opened the cages to release all of the animals, then committed suicide. He died of a gunshot wound. Lutz said Thompson's body was "bothered" by the animals.
Thompson not only opened the cages, but cut the cage wire so the animals would escape again if returned to their cages.
Lutz announced that authorities believe only two animals remain missing this afternoon -- a monkey and a wolf. The sheriff previously said a grizzly bear and mountain lion were missing. Today, authorities confirmed they killed the bear on the property last night. An officer wounded the mountain lion, which staggered into a neighbor's property and died.
The owner of the exotic animal farm, Terry Thompson, was found dead yesterday in his house. Sheriff Matt Lutz said Thompson apparently opened the cages to release all of the animals, then committed suicide. He died of a gunshot wound. Lutz said Thompson's body was "bothered" by the animals.
Thompson not only opened the cages, but cut the cage wire so the animals would escape again if returned to their cages.
Lutz announced that authorities believe only two animals remain missing this afternoon -- a monkey and a wolf. The sheriff previously said a grizzly bear and mountain lion were missing. Today, authorities confirmed they killed the bear on the property last night. An officer wounded the mountain lion, which staggered into a neighbor's property and died.
Police seek escaped exotic animals in Ohio
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A sheriff says exotic animals on the loose in eastern Ohio were set free by their owner, who apparently killed himself on his farm. Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz (loots) …
www.starnewsonline.com
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