By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:24:29 +0000

I think that any police agency with exotic or dangerous animals in its jurisdiction should be required to have sedative dart guns on hand, and the officers should be well-trained in their use. Why did the Ohio police officials not have such dart guns and why were they not trained to use them properly?

I understand that one dart was used, but the animal didn’t immediately fall over, so it was shot and killed. It takes some time for the sedative to take effect. Why didn’t the person using the dart gun understand that?

Lack of equipment and training can’t be blamed on lack of previous knowledge of the animals existence. The news release from PAWS says, “in the last six years police officials have been called to Mr. Thompson’s property 16 times for reports of animals at large, eight times for animal complaints and three times for animal cruelty.” Clearly, the police knew the animals were there and that there was risk of them getting loose. They were not prepared and for no good reason. Rare animals died because of this.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:32:41 +0000

It is a little comforting to read no reference to these animals as “pets.” “Collection” was appropriate; perhaps more emphatic would be the word “entrapment.”

The eyes of the cheetah summarized all regarding this type of animal abuse.

Comments on: Wildlife tragedy: 49 exotic animals killed in Ohio

By: Karen

By: Barbara