Police hunt exotic animals escaped from Ohio farm

Schools closed and motorists were warned to stay in their vehicles as officers with assault rifles hunted Wednesday for bears, big cats and other beasts that escaped from a wild-animal preserve after the owner apparently opened cages that housed dozens of dangerous animals and then committed suicide.

Officers were under orders to shoot to kill because officials said it wasn't safe to tranquilize the animals in the dark.

Muskingum County Animal Farmowner Terry Thompson killed himself after freeing the animals, Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said Wednesday, following a night during which officials hunted down and shot to death nearly 30 of the 48 animals.   Read Here