Once Terry Thompson of Zanesville, Ohio released his private zoo of 56 exotic animals into the Ohio suburbs, there really was no win/win solution. Sane readers might wonder why anybody would need to own, AS PETS, 18 Bengal tigers along with an assortment of wolves, bears, and monkeys. Thompson himself is unavailable for an explanation. After releasing his animals, he committed suicide.
Now Thompson's widow wants her "pets" back. She wants, that is, the six that have not already been shot and killed by a SWAT team. Currently, these animals have found sanctuary in a public zoo.
Meanwhile, Thompson's neighbor has complained to Gawker.com that a lion was only 30 feet away from him when it was killed. Ask Ohio to keep the remaining exotics in the zoo where they are guaranteed an appropriate level of care for the rest of their lives. Ms. Thompson can visit them there.
We the undersigned find it unfortunate that a significant number of wild animals were taken from their natural habitat and placed in a private, unregulated zoo in the first place.
However, now that the Thompsons' animals are in the care of a public zoo, we ask that they remain there where they will be properly cared for and where they are sure to never again become a public menace.
