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.

[theDentist]

Coby Utterman says, "I figured an animal that size would be afraid of a lawnmower."

Course, he may interpret it as a call to luncheon.

[Dog Gone]

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

[HiJinx]

See, we're not the only ones with lion problems!

Wonder if this cat can be transplanted? We have lots of food for her down here along the river!

[smith288]

They are prepared to terminate the lion.

[nevergore]

Maybe this lion?

NeverGore :^)

[rdb3]

Dan, please tell Coach Mooch to come and get his mascot.

Thanx.

A.K.A. Sleepy Brown

[mabelkitty]

Did this happen in the same place as the Columbus sniper shootings? Coincidence?

[mabelkitty]

I forgot my ; )

[cupcakes]

Hee hee, this is my hubby's hometown and stone's throw from where we live. My guess is this animal was owned illegally by someone in Franklin County otherwise they would have stepped forward by now. It couldn't possibly be the Columbus zoo's animal since it is on the other side of town and they would have claimed him by now. The next county to the east--Licking County--allow exotic animals in private lands, but all animals are accounted for out there.
Weird!

[phasma proeliator]

So... Are we assuming that this is an AFRICAN lion or could it be a 'native' Mountain lion?

[cupcakes]

Nope--the shootings happened mostly on the southern portion of I-270, south of Columbus--Gahanna is a little northeast of I-270, close to the airport.

[Pox]

"Did this happen in the same place as the Columbus sniper shootings? Coincidence?"

The sniper was basically operating on the southern edge of Columbus, whereas Gahanna is somewhat Northeast of downtown. Coincidence, IMO.

[cupcakes]

Hmm, that makes me wonder since Gahanna is so close to the airport--wonder if this animal was being transported and escaped.

[smith288]

I believe they called it a "Black Lion" which is a full fledged African deal with a dark mane that darkens with age...

[Springman]

The Detroit Lion is on loan to U of M right now, he's got some work to do down there.

sciencediet, do you have any pic that may go this the artical?

[smith288]

Police have detected a Coyote on thermal imaging camera in helicopter as well!

So we have a coyote and a Lion on the loose

[Larry Lucido]

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

I always get those three confused.

[smith288]

Giraffes, Rhinos and Squirrels confuse me...

LOL

[Larry Lucido]

"since Gahanna is so close to the airport"

Maybe the lion thought he had caught a flight to Ghana?