The Ohio Department of Agriculture issued an order of quarantine to prevent Marian Thompson from removing the six exotic animals which were captured alive after her husband released dozens of cats, including leopards, mountain lions, Bengal tigers and lions, as well as at least two species of bears, several species of monkeys, and other exotic animals from their cages before taking his own life. Marian Thompson showed up at the Columbus Zoo, on Thursday afternoon, October 27th, along with her attorney and a horse trailer, intending to remove the six exotic animals from the Columbus Zoo and take them with her.
Fearing that Mrs. Thompson may try to remove the animals, the quarantine has been issued which prevents the animals from being removed from the zoo, at least for the time being. The quarantine states in part, that the animals need to be tested for diseases. Neither the blood work nor any other necessary tests to determine if the animals have any diseases has been performed.
Marian Thompson has referred to the remaining six animals, which include a panther, a tiger, a bear, monkey and other animals as her “children.”
Concerns over public safety as well as the poor conditions on the Thompson Farm, which may mean the animals are potentially infected with disease, apparently caused officials to seek the quarantine. For now, at least, the animals will be contained at the Columbus Zoo, while officials decide on their next step.
Channel 10-TV News said that animal expert Jack Hanna has been in touch with Governor John Kasich’s office regarding the situation.
Mrs. Thompson has 30 days to appeal.