Recently in Ohio there was an "escape" of large number of exotic animals from a private animal farm. I use the word escape loosely, as that implies that the animals somehow overcame obstacles to evade confinement. Certainly the man who had them was not well in some form or fashion given he committed suicide. I am saddened by the loss of animal life, and conflicted about the way it was handled. Having grown up in an area with large predators, mountain lions and bears to be more specific, I know that humans and animals, even large predators, can coexist relatively few negative interactions. I realize that in this case the animals were hungry, possibly maltreated, and would not behave the way a "normal" wild animal would. I am also aware that there were attempts to tranquilize the animals, and I am thankful for the attempts. Perhaps the sheer size of the escape necessitated the strong reaction.
In any case, I am disappointed in the governor's response, and find his executive order insufficient if a step in the right direction. I just hope the Ohio legislature can get its act together and pass some meaningful legislation so something like this can't happen again. That he was in compliance legally is just plain silly to me. It was an accident waiting to happen.
