Wild animals shot dead in Ohio after owner commits suicide

Officers armed with high-powered rifles & shoot-to-kill orders hunted down the animals who had escaped from their cages in Ohio. Around 50 animals were killed including 18 tigers and 17 lions.

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The Muskingum County Animal Farm - the house is on the right. The barn on the left and cages for other animals are between the house and the barn. Police with assault rifles stalked a mountain lion, grizzly bear and monkey still on the loose after authorities said their owner apparently freed dozens of wild animals and then committed suicide.

Image courtesy: Associated Press

Investigators walk around a barn as carcasses lay on the ground at The Muskingum County Animal Farm on Wednesday.

Image courtesy: Associated Press

File photo of Terry Thompson, who, a game-preserve owner, who apparently freed dozens of wild animals, including tigers and grizzly bears, and then killed himself on Tuesday night, October 18, 2011.

Image courtesy: Associated Press

A dead lion lays by the fence on Terry Thompson's farm near Zanesville, Ohio. Police killed dozens of animals Tuesday that escaped from the wild-animal preserve where the owner's body later was found. Warning that more animals still were on the loose, officials expected up to four school districts to cancel classes as the remaining bears, big cats and other beasts from the Muskingum County Animal Farm were hunted down.

Image courtesy: Associated Press

A sign warning motorists that exotic animals are on the I-70 interstate highway in Ohio.

Image courtesy: Associated Press