Police Hunting Down Lion

WBNS 10TV ^ | 5-4-2004 | WBNS 10TV

[smith288]

Police Hunting Down Lion

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Gahanna police spent the morning on the prowl and poised for a fight, just in case they ran into a lion on the loose.

There are three confirmed sightings of the lion, but police say she never surfaced Tuesday.

The first sighting came from a Columbus police officer around 8 p.m.; he saw the lion crossing Taylor Road near Taylor Station Road.

The second came from a courier, who saw her off Technology Drive.

The last confirmed visual was from some CSX workers who spotted the lion on the railroad tracks heading toward the airport.

One eyewitness says, "You know how lions just stroll, that's how it was. Were all in the office and I said. 'There it is.' With his tail up in the air, it was a lion."

Jim is sure he saw the animal out his kitchen window. He says, "There is no way this could have been a great big dog. No. The legs were different."

A whole crowd believes it was a lion up on the hill on Claycraft Road.

"It was definitely [a lion]. It was too big to be a dog and it wasn't a deer," says resident Tiffany Kelly.

In the Gahanna neighborhood near last night's sightings, the lion was topic one Tuesday.

Jane Alden kept the kids inside all day, explaining, "I'm not comfortable with it roaming around with all these woods around here."

Dennis Green of Gahanna chose to go outside instead. "We've got a wedding coming up and I've got to get the place ready," he says.

Another resident chose to mow his lawn. Coby Utterman says, "I figured an animal that size would be afraid of a lawnmower."

Everyone, both adventurous and cautious, are wondering where she is and hoping no one gets hurt, including the elusive lion.

So what are the laws about having exotic animals in Ohio? People at the Columbus Zoo say the state code is essentially silent.

"It requires no license or permit to really own an animal like that or to transport one across the state. You don't even have to live here, but just to driving through with an animal in your vehicle," says Don Winstel of the Columbus Zoo.

Officials with the state Department of Agriculture say tracking exotic animal in Ohio is hard to do since there is no registration.

[phasma proeliator]

I'm not trying to be "argumentative" but a "black Lion" could still be a "Mountain Lion"....

or a "black Panther" (not the Political black panther either)....

Just curious - there is an increase in certain areas of Mountain lions - although I not sure about Ohio....

[small voice in the wilderness]

hmmmm, airlion?

[cupcakes]

LMAO! Ok, who butchered the name Gahanna(pronounced like banana) so that this poor animal thought he was actually in the wilds of Africa instead of a suburb of chilly Columbus, Ohio?

BTW, this is all Bush's fault--he's in Ohio today after all;-) What did he know and when did he know it?

[smith288]

I'm not trying to be "argumentative" but a "black Lion" could still be a "Mountain Lion"....

I wont claim to know what it is but I heard the thing is a full lion. Like 400 lbs, huge mane and all... but it could be exagerations.

[decimon]

Why are the police hunting a down lion? Can't the parents buy a new one?

[tang-soo]

I live in Gahanna - though about four miles away from the latest sighting. I was watching CSI last night when my mom called to inform us about the lion report. We turned the news on to see a friend from church on the local news detailing what was going on. Larry is the chief of detectives. Basically they planned to leave it alone over night becaue they were told that it had probably bedded down for the night.

To answer another question, no, most of the sniper attacks took place around the souther portion of the loop around town (I-270) and Gahanna is a suburb outside I-270 and Northeast of Columbus. The area where the last sighting is located is where the town kinda falls off the map - lots of woods and farmland. It could take a while to catch him, though I thought they may bring in IR and search with that.

I have not heard any updates this afternoon.

By the way, the mascot for the Gahanna Lincoln High School is "The Lions" which has led to speculation this could be a senior year-end prank.

Also, I see someone posted a pic of the movie "Second Hand Lions". Highly recommended.

[Lady Jag]

Where is this happening?

[Lady Jag]

I found it!

[DUMBGRUNT]

North suburban Chicago (Vernon Hills?) had a lion scare a few years back. It was seen by a few people, including a couple from India, the police chief said that they know what a lion looks like!
It was a junkyard dog with a unique hair cut.

[ServesURight]

Great movie.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Well, I dunno. My 5 year old came flying in from school one day many years ago in California and reported breathlessly that a "dog that looks like a tiger" followed him home from school. I assured him that that was not possible until I looked out my window and saw a giant brindle Great Dane holding my elderly neighors captive in their car!


And no kidding! He DID look just like a tiger and was almost as big.

Stanley trotted over when he saw us and came right in the house. He was very sweet, and his tags had his name (Stanley) address and phone number on them. I called his owners all afternoon, trying to return him. At about 5 pm he started "surfing" my kitchen counters for food (after he'd already eaten all the cat's food) and I let him out to go potty. He took off at and easy lope, heading in the direction of the address on his tags (about 3 miles away). When I finally got hold of his owners, they reported that he was already waiting for them when they got home from work. Seems that he liked to roam when they were gone.

I hope that your "lion" is just a Great Dane or a Mastiff taking a stroll and that no trigger happy cop shoots it.

[afraidfortherepublic]

See #31! LOL

[afraidfortherepublic]

What's the movie about. I'm always looking for good movies.

[OneTimeLurker]

"At about 5 pm he started "surfing" my kitchen counters for food (after he'd already eaten all the cat's food) and I let him out to go potty. "

My dog's breath smells like cat food!

[nevergore]

The movie should be a classic, suitable for people of all ages....a little slow at times and pehaps a little goofy but a charming tale of two older bothers who "adopt" their newphew for the summer in 1960's rural Texas.

The story is full of adventure and intrigue. Not what you would expect.

I liked it well enough that it's in my permanent DVD collection.

The link for the movie trailer is at:
http://www.secondhandlions.com/

NeverGore :^)

[Dan from Michigan]

Was it roaring or meowing? Detroit Lions meow......

Hopefully that'll change.

[Ohioan from Florida]

I'm in Gahanna, too, and I think they've already ruled out the Great Dane idea, because that's already happened here as well. They almost called the search off and then several people saw the animal catch a smaller animal (ground hog, bird, rat, etc.) and drag it away over by the airport. I've heard they've gotten it surrounded but still haven't heard any definitive updates on the radio. I do find it coincidental that the local team's mascot is a lion.

[ServesURight]

What's the movie about. I'm always looking for good movies.

In a nutshell, a boy learns how to be a real man, taught by his two uncles. His mom is a tramp and tries to golddig the uncles who made a fortune in gold and kicked some Arabs ass.

A rare movie that gets it.

[Springman]

I guess that's where the police looking for this lion are hiding. Smart cops!!

[cupcakes]

Ohioan from Florida and right around the corner eh? We are down in Picktown. Where are you from in Fla? I spent the better part of my teen years south of Miami.

I had forgotten about the mascot of the ever growing Gahanna Lincoln high school(build a new high school already;-) Hubby always jokes it looks like a college campus compared to when he attended(graduated in 81).

Heading over that way today for my ob appt. Always wonder if there are any freepers around when I'm out and about;-)