Sheriff Lutz Speaks To State Lawmakers

Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz is stressing to State Lawmakers the importance of exotic animal owners keeping an inventory of their creatures and having extra fencing outside their cages in case the animals get loose.  The House Agriculture Committee is considering regulations on exotic animal’s ownership following the release of dozens of wild creatures by Terry Thompson in October from his Kopchak Road farm.  Sheriff Lutz told the panel it could have been months to find all the animals had a neighbor not alerted authorities. Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputies were forced to kill 48 animals for public safety.  Five animals that had been quarantined at the Columbus Zoo returned last week to their Kopchak Road farm and Lutz says he has received no complaints.