Newly released documents are shedding light on exotic animal owner Terry Thompson's past.
On Friday, the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office released reports that date back as far as 2004. Neighbors complained that Thompson's cattle were starving, and dead cattle were not removed from the property.
Two separate cases of a lion on the loose were also reported to the sheriff's office. As part of an investigation in 2008, officials from the Columbus Zoo observed unsanitary...
The press conferences may be over, but people are still talking about Terry Thompson's exotic animals.
WHIZ talked to shoppers at the Colony Square Mall in Zanesville on Thursday. Eric Robinson said he can't remember a time when Zanesville received so much media attention.
"It's something that people take interest in, and it's local, so it raises excitement in a small town," said Robinson.
Paul Gray said this situation should have never happened. He...
Sheriff Matt Lutz spoke to media outlets Thursday morning to wrap up the release of exotic animals and the death of their owner Terry Thompson.
Sheriff Lutz said a coroner's report confirms that Thompson died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that he suffered a bite to his head that appeared to have come from a large cat, like a bengal tiger just moments later. In all 56 animals were on the property, 48 were killed by law enforcement, one was killed by a cat and six were...
The caretaker of the Thompson farm has spoken to WHIZ exclusively and wishes things were done a bit differently.
Caretaker John Moore has a long history on the Thompson farm and has raised many of the animals since they were born. He says he wishes authorities gave him a chance to save some of the lions and tigers.
"If he just gave me some time, I could put most of those cats away. When you feed them everyday, 10 below zero and you're out there feeding those cats, and...
Governor John Kasich called Sheriff Matt Lutz Wednesday night to personally thank him for containing the dangerous animal situation in Muskingum County.
Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols tells WHIZ the Governor wanted to express his gratitude to the Sheriff and his deputies for performing extraordinarily well under extreme circumstances. The Governor will be inviting the Sheriff to the State House to formally thank him.
Nichols says the Governor hopes to have a law in place...
One of the first sheriff's deputies on the scene is speaking out about the animal incident.
Deputy Jonathan Merry says when he arrived on Thompson's farm, he saw a Bengal tiger, two black bears and an African female lion being contained by no more than a normal livestock fence. He then saw a grey wolf running down kopchak away from the farm.
"At that time I got in my patrol cruiser, followed the wolf, the wolf turned westbound, again further in the opposite direction...
The events that have unfolded over the past 24 hours have sparked reactions from people all over the country including those who live just down the road from Terry Thompson's farm.
WHIZ caught up with residents of Eagle View Apartments on Kopchak Road to find out how they feel about this situation. Connie Sines manages the property, and she said many of her residents spent the day inside.
"The only thing I worry about is something coming up over the bank at the creek...
Only one of Terry Thompson's wild animals is still on the loose Wednesday night.
Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said 49 of the 56 animals were killed, including one baboon, two wolves, six black bears, two grizzly bears, nine lions, eight lionesses, three mountain lions and 18 bengal tigers. Lutz said his deputies continue to search for a monkey that is likely carrying a dangerous disease.
"The director of the Columbus Zoo as well as The Wilds has recommended that...
Sheriff Lutz from the Muskingum County Sheriff Department has confirmed in a 3:00 pm press conference that 56 animals were on the loose after being set free by Terry Thompson, who was found dead on the property. Sheriff Lutz says they have killed one wolf, six black bears, two grizzly bears, nine male lions, eight lionesses, one baboon, one mountain lion, and eighteen tigers. One grizzly bear, three leopards, and two monkeys were transported to the Columbus Zoo. Still on the loose are a...
A Zanesville man pled guilty in U.S. District Court Monday on federal weapons charges.
61-year-old Terry Thompson pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of illegal firearms, each count of which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. According to a press release, Thompson admitted to possessing eight illegal firearms, including five fully automatic firearms and three short-barreled firearms without serial numbers.
In June 2008, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol...
WHIZ-TV
WHIZscores
