"ZANESVILLE -- Jonathan Merry said he was seven feet away from being attacked by a black bear. It was one of several harrowing encounters the 25-year-old Muskingum County sheriff's deputy faced as he and others were confronted by dozens of exotic animals escaping from a 73-acre farm in western Muskingum County."
"Terry Thompson, owner of the farm, is thought to have released 56 lions, tigers, bears and monkeys from their cages Tuesday before killing himself in the driveway of his home on Kopchak Road.
No autopsy has been released, but Sheriff Matt Lutz said he could confirm Thompson shot himself."
Kathy Thompson reports for the Zanesville Times Recorder October 20, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"Dozens Of Exotic Animals Set Loose, Killed" (Huffington Post)
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