Fifth Anniversary of Exotic Animals set loose

The anniversary of the loose exotic animals is just around the corner…

Tomorrow October 18, 2016 is the fifth anniversary of Terry Thompson letting 50 wild animals loose before committing suicide. The Sheriffs Department along with assistance from local residence were able to shoot the animals that endangered the local area. Sheriff, Matt Lutz says that through this experience the department and the state has been able to grow from this experience.

“The biggest thing that sticks out to me is that we were very fortunate not to have anybody injured and then I’m pretty happy with what Ohio has done in the last basically five years as the task force,” said Lutz

According to Sheriff Lutz, Ohio has one of the most strict rules on owning exotic animals. Now people who want an exotic animal have to have licensing and strict regulations to follow. The county is now more equipped to handle these situations with the Task Force creating a holding cell for exotic animals that are caught.

“It’s a place where if we go out on an inspection and we seize an animal from someone that’s not permitted it’s taken to the holding facility until they can provide a good home for it,” said Lutz. “So the holding facility has worked out phenomenally well and I know that’s been a big, big asset and big help to all law enforcement around the state.

Now the state of Ohio legislation has prevention laws from keeping residents owning large amounts of exotic animals. Sheriff Lutz said that every person interested in owning an exotic animal must register with the Department of agriculture and follow strict regulations.

“There are inspections of the facilities and there are all kinds of requirements,” said Lutz “The owners are supposed to have such as containment fences, tranquilizer agents on inventory lists, and all things that we [didn’t] have back on October 18, 2011.”

Sheriff Lutz said the task force and laws made by the legislation were influenced by the exotic animals in Zanesville, Ohio.