Cross Breeds

Why on earth would some guy keep wild animals on a private farm?

Did you hear about this story in Ohio? Some guy owns a huge private farm in Ohio and kept wild animals. He then frees the wild animals and then killed himself. Is that even legal to keep wild animals?

Public Comments

1. 100s of exotic animal farms around the country.
2. Because he wanted to, and could afford to....that is the American Way! Was he crazy? Clearly....but that stopped being a "crime" during the Reagan Era....and Ronnie even let a bunch of crazies OUT onto the streets to reduce government spending....sound at all familiar?
3. This guy was also charged with animal cruelty in the past and yet he was still allowed to keep the animals. Sounds like the government had a problem there.
4. No regulation existed that would prevent him from doing so. Even with a criminal record. Ahhh... the free market. This sounds like just one of many areas where "We The People" really need to have some rules and regulations in place.
5. When zoos and game parks close or have to deplete their population, these animals are usually put down. The same thing with many circus animals. Old lions, tigers, and bears, oh my, monkeys, etc. are simply killed. Old and infirm animals are disposed of (sort of like what the conservatives want to do with people). There are many private farms that have gotten special dispensation to house wild animals, and there are farms that haven't. I've taken in two zebras and had to get a special wild animal permit even for these gentle animals. I don't know the reasons he let the animals go or why he killed himself. He could have had some mental issues or have been ill and seen that as the only way.
6. I don't blame that guy for the animal deaths, there are many worse things he could have done to those animals including just leaving them in their cages while he killed himself. By killing himself, he showed he wasn't in his right mind...I blame the police for shooting to kill vs tranquilizing the animals in a classic "ready fire aim" mission to deal with the problem. The man had Bengals and there are plenty of zoos that would have taken those animals.
7. I think the real questions are these: 1. Why is a man who was brought on criminal charges for animal abuse and neglect allowed to keep his licenses to maintain these animals, even after only one offense? 2. Why do we even allow private citizens to have these animals at all? I'm a Libertarian, so I'm all for personal freedom, however I don't think people should be able to keep these animals in their home or for a private business. There needs to be laws and regulations set up that prevent anything other than a special business (like a zoo or reserve) to house and care for these animals. The state tried to shut down his private zoo and remove the animals from his care because he had proven himself to be untrustworthy with the responsibility; however, as Ohio state law stands, he could keep the animals. After this incident they are trying to change the laws. Pathetic that politicians can never be proactive about anything and for see obvious problems. Tragedy or misfortune has to strike before they get it. -Connor