The 2011 Zanesville Incident
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (174029)
Boise, Idaho
October 22, 2023 7:45pm CST
On October 18, 2011, over 50 exotic animals were released from the Muskingum County Animal Farm. The owner, Terry Thompson, then committed suicide by a shot to the head. He has quite an interesting backstory. These animals included eighteen Bengal tigers, three leopards, three mountain lions, African lions(nine males and eight females, six black bears, two wolves, monkeys, and one bamboo.
This facility had repeatedly been reported for unsafe housing for the animals and insufficient water and food. Neighbors of the farm had reported escaped animals through improper fencing. Many of these animals were killed by law enforcement while some were sent to the Columbus Zoo.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Zanesville,_Ohio_animal_escape
6 people like this
5 responses
@wolfgirl569 (115656)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Oct 23
I always wondered if he turned them loose or someone else did. It just all seemed strange
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (115656)
• Marion, Ohio
23 Oct 23
@celticeagle For us it was the timing too. Ohio was trying to pass an exotic animal ban at the time.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (174029)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Oct 23
@wolfgirl569 ........I read that as well.
1 person likes this
@Aquitaine24 (11858)
• San Jose, California
23 Oct 23
Seems like the owner hoped the animals would have one last adventure.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (94536)
• Arvada, Colorado
23 Oct 23
Wow I had never heard of this..how cruel also.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (174029)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Oct 23
For such an animal lover to end things that way. Weird and sad on so many levels.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (174029)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Oct 23
I agree. I guess they had served their purpose.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (188025)
• United States
23 Oct 23
That's a lot of dangerous animals to release. I'm sorry that he killed himself. I hate hearing about animals that were abused. I'm sorry that some had to be killed.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (174029)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Oct 23
Same here. When I read about this I was so shocked.
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