sad story about lions and tigers in Ohio

[Medusa]

No question that this is a terrible, terrible tragedy, and that the animals paid with their lives for something they had no control over. I think what is lost here, though, is that the human that took his life, and subjecting these innocent animals to the loss of theirs, was, obviously, not in his right frame of mind. His love of the animals wasn't probably 'registering', any more than that ingrained self preservation 'instinct'.

It is a tragic situation, all the way around.

I agree to a point. I have friends who live in his neck of the woods and I told her that some of us were considering going to the next auction and silently protesting, carrying signs but no shouting, etc. She told me that she could almost guarantee that I would be arrested and harassed continually afterwards b/c this man and the others who house exotics have law enforcement in their pockets, which is why they're never shut down. I always say "People first" but in this instance I have no sympathy for him. He had just recently served jail time for some of his offenses. Why he committed suicide, I do not know nor do I care. Many of the animals were malnourished so I can't see where he had any love of animals. His motives were of pure profit as are the others who sell exotics. Why else would someone sell camels, for instance, is this Ohio climate? Why were his giraffes seen along the side of the road? He didn't even see to it that his animals were properly contained.

[Cataholic]

@Mary, and I don't really disagree with you. I probably think more along the lines of "pets/animals first", frankly. But, I have to believe that anyone that takes their own life isn't thinking 'right'. How long? I don't know. I feel the same way about animal hoarders. I really do believe most of them are doing what they think is best, or thought was best, at some time, and at some point life overwhelmed them.

But, regardless, I do feel horribly for the animals that died, and the humans that were involved.