Ohio Bloodbath Update: Surviving Leopard Euthanized After Accident In Zoo

In October 2011 a horrific bloodbath occurred after 56 animals were released from a sanctuary by the owner who then killed himself (see also). One of only 6 animals who had not been hunted down and killed after being released from the Zanesville, Ohio sanctuary, a spotted leopard, had to be euthanized this week after being accidentally struck by a steel gate by a zookeeper at the Columbus Zoo. Whle a healthy leopard would have survived this accident, the rescued leopard had pre-exsting conditions that exacerbated the injury.

One of the comments to this story summarized this tragedy well: "What a sad end to a truly horrific story. The only bright spot will be if this incident helps to end the ownership of exotic animals by regular citizens. It should not be allowed, period."

Ohio is one of about eight states that does not regulate exotic animals. This tragedy could have been easily avoided and it still remains unclear why so many animals had to be slaughtered.