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Exotic Animal Quarantine Order Appeal Hearing Delayed

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UPDATE 3:25 p.m. Preliminary test results indicate the five surviving animals from an exotic animal escape in October are free of dangerously contagious or infectious diseases.
    
The Columbus zoo began caring for three leopards, two primates and a bear after their suicidal owner released dozens of animals that had to be killed by authorities near Zanesville. One leopard was euthanized after it was struck by a door lowering between two enclosures.
    
The state had directed the animals be held at the zoo on suspicion of potential dangerous infectious diseases. The owner's widow has sought to appeal the quarantine order.
    
The Ohio Department of Agriculture on Monday said the state veterinarian received and reviewed the test results, and the animals will remain under quarantine at the zoo while observation continues for signs of rabies.
 

UPDATE 12:25 p.m. An administrative hearing has been delayed a week over Ohio's quarantine order for five animals kept at a zoo since an exotic animal escape in October.

The Columbus Zoo began caring for three leopards, two primates and a bear after their suicidal owner released dozens of animals that had to be killed by authorities near Zanesville. One leopard was euthanized after it was struck by a door lowering between two enclosures.
 
A spokeswoman for the agriculture department says the hearing was delayed at the request of Marian Thompson, the owner's window, who had demanded the appeal hearing.
 
An attorney for the widow declined to comment.
 

A state-appointed lawyer is set to hear arguments Monday over Ohio's quarantine order for five animals kept at a zoo since an exotic animal escape in October.

The Columbus Zoo began caring for three leopards, two primates and a bear after their suicidal owner released dozens of animals that had to be killed by authorities near Zanesville. One leopard was euthanized after it was struck by a door lowering between two enclosures.
 
The owner's widow, who demanded the appeal hearing, questions whether the state had the authority to quarantine the animals on the suspicion of potential dangerous infectious diseases.
 
The widow has sought medical testing to prove the quarantine isn't needed.
 
The surviving animals have been medically tested, but state officials have yet to receive the results.