It is necessary a tragedy like this to happen to make human society to reflect and react. And conclude that wild animals belong to their habitat, and must not be kept in zoos or family houses.

(CNN) — The Humane Society of the United States said Wednesday it does not fault authorities in Ohio for using lethal force against exotic animals running loose.

Police believe the animals’ owner, Terry Thompson, 62, freed the animals — lions, tigers, leopards and grizzly bears — at his preserve near Zanesville, Ohio, before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said.

Ohio authorities were called to the scene Tuesday night. As of Wednesday, 49 animals had been killed and the rest were accounted for except for one monkey, according to authorities. But Lutz and conservationist Jack Hanna, who assisted in the effort, said the animal may have been eaten by one of the big cats.

A preliminary investigation showed Thompson had pried open cages and left fences open, Lutz said. Autopsy results on Thompson were pending.

Authorities were trying to use tranquilizers whenever possible in capturing the animals, said Zanesville Mayor Howard Zwelling. But Lutz said some animals were shot at close range by deputies who found themselves in a dangerous situation. A Bengal tiger was put down after it became agitated following a tranquilizer shot.

Read the full article here.

Related news: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/22/exotic-pets-debate-ohio-zanesville-animal_n_1026463.html