Senseless tragedy

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associated press Exotic animal carcasses lay on the ground in Zanesville, Ohio, after Terry Thompson released the animals and killed himself. (CP)

Animal laws protect animals and humans. It's something that the world was reminded of last week when Ohio ex-convict and exotic animal owner Terry Thompson released an ark full of animals and then committed suicide. What ensued was a preventable tragedy.

When this story first became public, I was repulsed. Tears flowed as I scanned photos of needless waste. Carcasses were strewn all over the deceased Thompson's lot. His head bore evidence of a bite mark and it looked as if Thompson had been dragged. Some reports likened the scene to a war zone.

The death toll was 46 animals, including 18 Bengal tigers and 17 lions. Only six animals were saved and sent to the Columbus Zoo.

Jack Hanna, television personality and animal expert, was visibly shaken as he spoke about the tragedy. He explained that experts now believe that there are only 1,400 Bengals remaining in the wild. The scene will "haunt me forever," he said during an ABC interview.

The natural questions posed by animal lovers are, "Why did they have to kill them?" or "Couldn't they have captured them for zoos instead?" In fact, many comments to a Globe and Mail story echoed the following: "More stupidity from the most brainless on Earth -- the gun-toting American!... Get a cordon of police/wildlife people, to work a circle inwards, and TRANQUILIZE the animals!"

Solutions were plentiful and easy, according to letters to the editor. But officials weren't trying to find lost pets. The deputies were attempting to protect citizens from carnivores who could and did easily leap over the fence of the 30-hectare property as well as being all too aware these cats can take down a water buffalo.

It's easy to offer insight in hindsight, especially in the safe haven of our living rooms. I wouldn't have wanted to be in Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz's position. Hanna reported that he saw tears in the eyes some of the deputies forced to shoot these great beasts. Fear also must have been palpable. Some were charged by a bear or large cats. They shot the animals with side arms at close range.

There are those who might not understand why Hanna defended the sheriff's decision. In that ABC interview, Hanna said it was "probably the worst thing (he's seen) in a 45-year of history working with animals." That's saying a lot.

Perhaps the answer to why the rare Bengals were destroyed can be found in a National Geographic description of the great tiger: "Despite their fearsome reputation, most tigers avoid humans; however, a few do become dangerous man-eaters. These animals are often sick and unable to hunt normally, or live in an area where their traditional prey has vanished." This depiction seems to fit this case. According to Hanna, had the animals not been caught, "it would have been carnage."

A Globe and Mail article noted that veterinarian Barb Wolfe, "managed to hit a tiger with a tranquilizer dart, but the animal charged toward her and then turned and began to flee before the drug could take effect, and deputies shot the big cat." Even if it were an option to surround the animals, only four tranquilizer guns were available in a county of 25,000 citizens.

Hanna explained problems with tranquilization. It isn't simple, especially in the dark (as was the case here). Sedation can take a while to work. In a CBS report, Hanna explained that he' seen how quickly the process can go wrong. His example involved the death of a veterinarian -- his best friend -- in 1974. "Five tigers got loose. He tried to tranquilize one of them. The tiger jumped 18 feet. One leap had him on the ground, and that was it," Hanna said.

Since his comments, Hanna has received death threats, according to a Yahoo news report. As is the case with many stories, the blame has been misdirected. Hanna has worked his entire career to promote animal care and welfare. Instead, blame should be heaped on Thompson. He collected animals that should have never been allowed on a private preserve without proper inspection, care and facilities. And then he released them on his neighbours.

Wolfe, in a CBS report, said, "We knew that... there were so many dangerous animals at this place that eventually something bad would happen, but I don't think anybody really knew it would be this bad."

The focus should also now fall on Ohio's laws. Many reports explain that Ohio has some of the weakest animal laws in the country. Animal-rights workers had called for action, but without laws backing their voices, little could be done.

In Winnipeg, bylaws prevent anyone from owning a carnivore other than domestic dogs, domestic cats and ferrets. Lions would be out of the question.

Strong laws are meant to protect the humans from animals and, as in this case, animals from some humans.

char.adam@mts.net

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Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 25, 2011 C5