Police Kill Escaped Animals

On Tuesday, 49 animals met a tragic end after their guardian released them and then ended his own life. As the lions, Bengal tigers, wolves, monkeys, grizzly bears, and other animals roamed into Zanesville, OH, police officers shot and killed 49 of the 56 escaped animals in attempts to mitigate the threat to public safety. Six others were taken alive and transported to the Columbus Zoo, according to CNN, and one monkey remains unaccounted for. The Humane Society of the United States is urging Ohio officials to tighten state restrictions on the private ownership of exotic animals. Terry Thompson, the animals’ guardian, was convicted of animal cruelty in December 2005, but had continued to acquire animals.