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.

[Ohioan from Florida]

(Did anyuone see the irony in the fact that the Gahanna mascot is a Lion????)

My son thinks someone at Gahanna has played the biggest senior prank of all time!

[cupcakes]

This sounds like a wonderful idea. Don't know that I can commit to the first one(due in about 2 weeks), but if this becomes a regular things, I'm all for it!

[cupcakes]

Don't think so. I can get an update though if you are interested. He's close to his high school coach who happens to be one of hubby's best friends.

[cupcakes]

Hey there!

[WhiteGuy]

ya know.................

This fact was mentioned several times before I posted.

I guess some would realize that I seldom read the thread before I post.

To be honest, I seldon read the article either...........................


I just jump in and post some silly or cynical remark.

I yam what I yam.....................

(Good prank if that's the case)

[smith288]

Too bad the guy put so much stock in his NFL career.

[WhiteGuy]

Yeah I always liked Cooker.

I'm up for lunch, anytime.

We LOVE China Gourmet.

Once we stopped in before a school event of some sort.
We asked for immediate seating and were seated promptly.

We explained to the hostess that we only had about 20 minutes to be out the door.

The whole staff rallied and got us fed and paid out with time to spare.

(Of course we simply ordered whatever could be prepared quickly)

Needless to say it was a fairly expensive meal once my grateful tip was included.................

[Ohioan from Florida]

I'm a yes for lunch whenever. I've never eaten at China Gourmet, but it sure sounds like I'm missing out on something! Definitely willing to give it a go!

Cupcakes, seeing as you'd be coming from Pick-town we could go with what's easiest for you. Do you have another 0B appt next week if you're due in 2 weeks? Unless you have other children in tow, it'll be a lot easier to meet up soon rather than after the baby's born.

Whatever you guys think is fine with me.

[cupcakes]

Yes, I do have another appt. I have to pick my daughter up at noon down in Grove City(she goes to our church's kindergarten). This week was an exception since she went to friend's house to play after school.
A few week's earlier and no problem. I'll catch up sometime!
You all meet somewhere in Gahanna and be sure to mail me and I'll try and swing by to say hello before I head down to GC. Please don't plan it closer to me--you all have to work and get back and forth quickly. Hopefully I can meet up with some of you in the summer sometime when I'm not shuttling kids all over Columbus.

[cupcakes]

Hubby said he is a consultant to Ohio State U in some capacity. Fortunately for him, he has a family who were pretty much on top of him saving money and investing it. I'm sure he came away with something and can at least live comfortably for a man his age.

[BurbankKarl]

[Terriergal]

Are they talking mountain lion or african lion?

[Terriergal]

And they had better keep it quiet from PETA and the other animal nuts.