The Zanesville Massacre: Animal Owner Nearly Kills a Community

Summary

In October 2011, the small town of Zanesville, Ohio, was thrust into chaos when Terry Thompson released over 50 exotic animals, including lions, tigers, and bears, from his private zoo. A Vietnam War veteran and animal hoarder, Thompson's actions led to a tragic and dangerous encounter as the animals roamed free, resulting in the deaths of 49 creatures. The investigation revealed that Thompson had died under mysterious circumstances, likely taking his life in a final act of despair. This incident spurred a nationwide reexamination of exotic animal ownership and led to tighter regulations across the U.S.

Takeaways

• 😀 Terry Thompson, a man from Zanesville, Ohio, set free over 50 exotic animals in October 2011, creating a dangerous situation for the local community.
• 😀 Thompson had a troubled past, including serving in the Vietnam War, struggling with PTSD, and facing marital problems with his wife, Marian.
• 😀 Terry became obsessed with exotic animals after buying a tiger cub for his wife’s birthday, leading him to hoard numerous dangerous creatures like lions, tigers, and bears.
• 😀 In addition to collecting exotic animals, Terry was involved in other illicit activities, including selling guns, which led to an ATF raid on his property in 2008.
• 😀 After serving 10 months in prison for firearms charges, Terry’s life spiraled, resulting in financial struggles, personal conflicts, and ultimately, the release of his animals.
• 😀 On October 11, 2011, Terry opened the cages of his exotic animals, allowing them to roam freely across the town of Zanesville, causing widespread panic.
• 😀 Local residents, including Terry’s neighbor Sam Kopchak, encountered dangerous predators such as lions and bears, prompting a police response to contain the animals.
• 😀 Deputies were forced to shoot and kill numerous animals, including 18 Bengal tigers, 17 lions, and 6 black bears, to protect the public and contain the threat.
• 😀 Despite efforts to capture the animals, one macaque monkey was never found, and it’s believed to have been eaten by another animal or perished in the chaos.
• 😀 Following the incident, Ohio passed stricter laws on exotic animal ownership, banning the private ownership of dozens of dangerous species to prevent future tragedies.

Q & A

Why did Terry Thompson release his animals on the town of Zanesville?

Terry Thompson released his exotic animals on October 18, 2011, likely due to a combination of personal crises. He was struggling with severe financial issues, a broken marriage, and the trauma from his time in prison. It's believed that he snapped under these pressures, opening the cages and allowing his animals to roam free.

What types of animals did Terry Thompson own?

Terry Thompson owned more than 50 exotic animals, including Bengal tigers, lions, bears, wolves, monkeys, and even a baboon. These animals were kept in an amateur zoo-like setting on his property in Zanesville, Ohio.

What led to the raid of Terry Thompson's home in 2008?

In 2008, Terry Thompson's home was raided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) due to his involvement in selling unregistered firearms. The raid resulted in the confiscation of 133 guns and numerous rounds of ammunition.

How did the community of Zanesville react to Terry Thompson's animals escaping?

The community of Zanesville was thrown into chaos when Terry Thompson's animals escaped. The police, along with local authorities, were forced to deal with the danger posed by the wild animals on the loose. In the end, many of the animals were shot to protect public safety, though there was significant backlash regarding the loss of these endangered species.

How many animals were killed during the Zanesville escape, and which one remains unaccounted for?

In total, 49 exotic animals were killed during the Zanesville escape, including 18 Bengal tigers, 17 lions, 6 black bears, and other species. One macaque monkey was never found, and it is believed it may have been eaten by one of the other escapees.

What were the circumstances surrounding Terry Thompson's death?

Terry Thompson was found dead on his property after he released his animals. It is believed that he died from self-inflicted wounds, possibly as a final act of despair. His body was surrounded by raw chicken, which some speculate was intended to lure the animals to feast on him.

What laws were in place regarding exotic animal ownership in Ohio before the Zanesville incident?

Before the Zanesville massacre, Ohio had relatively lax laws regarding exotic animal ownership. Individuals could buy exotic animals like tigers or lions without any significant regulation, and the authorities only needed to be informed if the animals crossed state lines or were put on public display.

What changes were made to Ohio's exotic animal laws after the Zanesville incident?

In response to the Zanesville incident, Ohio passed stricter laws banning private ownership of certain exotic animals. As of January 1, 2014, laws were enacted to prevent individuals from owning dangerous animals like tigers, lions, and bears, aiming to protect both the public and the animals themselves.

How did the Zanesville incident influence the conversation about exotic animal ownership in the U.S.?

The Zanesville incident brought national attention to the issue of exotic animal ownership. It highlighted the risks of keeping dangerous wild animals as pets and led to greater scrutiny and calls for stricter regulations across the U.S. The incident also inspired documentaries, such as *The Elephant in the Living Room*, which further explored the dark side of exotic animal captivity.

What were the consequences for Terry Thompson's wife, Marian, following the incident?

Marian Thompson, Terry's wife, was deeply affected by the events surrounding the animal escape. She was emotionally distraught by her husband's actions and the aftermath. Although she agreed to relocate the surviving animals to a zoo, she insisted that they be buried on their property when they passed. The couple had been separated for some time, and Marian had no sympathy for Terry following his criminal behavior.