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Sheriff Says Ohio Exotics Search Could Have Dragged On
By: Associated Press
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An Ohio sheriff 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 ownership following the release of dozens of wild creatures let loose by their suicidal owner in October.
Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz told the panel it could have taken months to find all the animals had a neighbor not alerted police.
Authorities were forced to kill 48 creatures which easily escaped through a livestock fence once out of their cages.
Five animals that had been quarantined at a zoo returned last week to the Zanesville farm and Lutz said he has received no complaints.