Large exotic animals continue to present compelling reasons to keep a safe distance from them.
It is important to recognize the potential danger of exotic pets, as they possess the ability and sometimes the eagerness to maul their owners in creative ways.
While zebras are often assumed to be harmless, some caution should still be exercised as they can kick and should not be considered entirely similar to horses.
However, entertaining such a misconception could result in the loss of a limb.
A 72-year-old Ohio man learned this lesson firsthand when his pet zebra, in a fit of rage, allegedly severed his arm.
Although the details remain unclear, the incident did occur. Upon arrival, authorities found the man on the ground, clutching his bloody stump, with the zebra still causing chaos.
The man’s limb was successfully reattached by doctors, though the same cannot be said for the zebra, which had to be put down by deputies.
The entire occurrence could have possibly been prevented if the individual hadn’t chosen to keep such an unusual animal as a pet. But who could have foreseen that a zebra was capable of causing such severe harm?
This is a unique occurrence for us.
Unusual Distress Signal
On March 12, a gruesome incident occurred. At approximately 5:30 p.m., the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office was contacted with a request for assistance.
As reported by the caller, a zebra had inflicted significant harm on its owner and was currently on the loose. While unconfirmed, it is likely that the dispatcher had to ask the caller to repeat themselves.
Despite the unusual nature of the report, the sheriff’s deputies were obligated to respond to the call and proceeded to Circleville, Ohio.
Upon arrival, they discovered a fenced-in area containing an elderly man lying on the ground. The man’s right arm was covered in blood and concealed by his sleeve.
Even though the man was already injured, the zebra appeared to be far from done. In order to prevent the animal from attacking the 72-year-old again, the deputies had to position a cruiser in its path.
Once the deputies had managed to keep the zebra at bay, they could assess the man’s injuries. It was clear that the zebra had bitten his arm off, causing severe harm.
We do not intend to minimize the man’s pain, but we are somewhat curious about how the incident occurred. We would be interested in seeing footage of the event.
As it turns out, the zebra was quite efficient in causing harm.
No Other Choice but Death
While the injured man was being treated, the deputies kept an eye on the zebra as it searched for another chance to strike.
Despite attempts to keep the animal at bay, the zebra remained aggressive, charging towards the deputies’ cars repeatedly. As the animal continued to pose a threat, the man’s relatives helped load him into an ambulance.
At the same time, the officers started shouting at the zebra, hoping to frighten it off. Additionally, they discovered some air horns and sounded them to emphasize the point.
We’re not sure what the deputies were thinking when they decided to use loud noises to scare off the zebra. It only made the animal angrier and more aggressive.
The man’s family members warned the deputies not to turn their backs on the zebra, as it was likely to attack at that moment, while they were loading the injured man into the ambulance.
The family members also gave permission to the deputies to euthanize the zebra if they deemed it necessary.
With the zebra still agitated and showing no signs of calming down, one of the deputies made the decision to end its life by shooting it in the head.
The deputies reported that the zebra’s aggression was due to its protective nature towards the five or six female zebras in the field. Tragically, the animal ended up losing its life for its actions.
Thankfully, the man attacked by the zebra was in a better condition. The medical staff at Grant Medical Center reported that his injuries were not severe and that they successfully reattached his arm the next day.
Owning a Zebra is Possible
Zebras are legal to keep in Ohio because state law does not classify them as exotic animals. Owners are not required to register their zebras with the Department of Agriculture.
The tragic incident known as the “Zoo Massacre” involved a man who released all of his privately-owned animals before taking his own life. The animals included 18 tigers, 17 lions, six black bears, two grizzly bears, three mountain lions, two wolves, and a baboon, and all were subsequently euthanized.
After the Zoo Massacre in Zanesville, Ohio enacted a ban on owning exotic animals as pets, including tigers, lions, bears, wolves, and baboons. The list of banned animals also includes elephants, rhinos, hyenas, Komodo dragons, and crocodilians, among others.
The absence of zebras on Ohio’s exotic animal ban list is curious. However, it remains to be seen if the recent zebra attack will prompt the state to reconsider its stance.