Thompson Releases Animals-Kills Self

Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz says the owner of the wild animals that escaped off Kopchak Road died of a self inflicted gunshot wound. Sheriff Lutz says Terry Thompson left gates and pens open so the animal could escape. Lutz says the area where this happened is still not secure. He says so far between 43 and 44 animals have been accounted for and they believe that there are only two animals still on the loose…a monkey and a wolf.  The earlier report of a mountain lion and grizzly on the loose has been changed – apparenlty they were shot Tuesday night.  The Sheriff says he gave the order to shoot and kill the animals because of safety concerns…he says one Bengal tiger weighed around 300 pounds. Jack Hannah of the Columbus Zoo says Sheriff Lutz’s did the correct thing by shooting and killing the animals. Hannah says if you see a wild animal do not run – stand still. Lutz also announced that he plans another News Conference around 3:00 pm.