Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Tragedy in Ohio













AP photo

This heartbreaking scene should never have happened.

We have rules about getting a driver's license, about having a beauty salon, and about owning a gun. Yet there are 12 states (including Missouri) that do not have regulations against people buying or owning exotic animals.  Just look on line and you'll find out how easy it is to purchase a lion, tiger, bear, or ape.

Why?

These animals are not pets. They don't belong in cages. They need the freedom and dignity to live as they were meant to live in the wild or in animal preserves with managers who have the knowledge, funds, and ability to properly care for them.

In addition, these managers should be wise enough to have a plan for every circumstance. One that includes use of tranquilzing guns. A much preferable option to the wholesale slaughter of critters executed because of what they are.

It's past time for state legislators to wake up and do the right thing.

16 comments:

Fireblossom said...

This news story, and any and all pictures of the poor animals, makes me feel physically ill. One thing I love about animals, is that pretty much everything they do makes some sort of sense. The same can't be said for humans.

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Frankie's Mom here. As I said in my post the other day.. we live 18 miles from this horrid situation. It was a terrible thing.
Due to the weather and the time of day when this all went down... the animals could NOT be tranquilized AND there was no way to contain them because the cages were all "disabled" when they were opened. In THIS situation there was NO OTHER OPTION..
However, it should NEVER have happened in the first place.
THANK GOD... Our governor just signed an exe. order (yesterday) to help prevent the sale of these magnificent creatures.
Too little, Too LATE.. YES! But, it IS a start and a Move in the right direction.
It is OUR hope that these unfortunate animals will NOT have died in vane.
Three Summers ago I actually Saw (From our Front porch) a Cougar that had escaped from a Different location. That cougar was loose and seen roaming for about two weeks... No one knows what became of it.
In addition to that.. less than 1/2 mile from our home... three WOLVES were kept in a "CAGE" smaller than our living room. THEY suddenly disappeared.. No one knows what happened to them either.
YES it ALL needs to be Stopped. I just PRAY that the new legislation will do just that.
However, we all know... you can NOT legislate Intelligence.

BECKY said...

I agree, Pat. I can't even look at a dead squirrel in the road when I drive by one...or any other critter, large or small. When I first heard people could buy exotic animals to keep as PETS, I couldn't believe it. How asinine.

Ed Pilolla said...

i also have been following this story. there's a valuable lesson here, and that is that our laws allow for all sorts of cruelty as long as someone is making a little bit of money. as long as animals are property and have absolutely no rights, even the right not to suffer unnecessary pain, there will be boundless cruelty.

Two French Bulldogs said...

mom is not happee..nutty
Benny & Lily

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

I'll admit that was the first picture I've looked at AND turned my eyes immediately -

Like the Whistler Sleddog Slaughter, I can't begin to wrap my head around this one -

Wrong on SO many levels -

Thanks for sharing it -

Chewy said...

This is horrible! What a tragic situation.

Chewy

Cattis said...

It's so heartbreaking.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

So sad . . . so sad. This heartbreaking scene highlights the impossible plight of these animals. Pray God it escalates the passage of more laws to protect them. I agree with you, Pat; they must be allowed to live in a free environment, whether in the wild or a well-managed preserve.

Maggie Mae and Max said...

Mom can't even look at da fotos cuz it makes her sad. Hopefully something good will come out of dis horrible tragedy.

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Shane Kent Louis said...

woof, are you ok now, praying that everyone was safe!


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The Word Place said...

I agree that there should be strict rules and regulations. So sorry the situation turned out so tragically for these magnificent beasts.

Pup Fan said...

Agreed. This story just made me so sad and angry.

Tammy said...

Thank you, thank you for saying so succinctly what needs to be said...for those who can't say it.

Lynn said...

So sad.

Christina said...

Hear Hear!