Zanesville exotic animal escape story makes GQ magazine headlines for March

CLEVELAND - The Zanesville exotic animal massacre made headlines across the United States last year. In an upcoming issue, GQ magazine takes an in-depth look at the deadly day that left 50 animals and one man dead.

It's a lengthy article, but one that lets you see through the eyes of each person involved in the tragedy that sad October day in 2011. It also walks you through the life of Terry Thompson, the exotic animal owner, and what may have caused him to "go crazy."

You first read about the person who called 911, a neighbor, after a heart-pounding encounter with a lion while out with his horse. Then, you're taken through the day of law enforcement officials who were sent out to secure the area and "take out" the animals. It was an order that wasn't easy for officers to follow -- shooting dead dozens of beautiful, wild animals.

The miraculous thing, the author noted, was with so many exotic animals loose, "not one innocent person was hurt."

Another story told is of one officer, whose rifle became stuck on something in his car, and how he dealt with an up-close bear encounter. The article also details how the Columbus Zoo and Jack Hanna became involved in the tragedy.

You also get a look at the world of exotic animal ownership and how, for now, it's been pretty easy (not to mention cheap) to have your own large, wild animals in Ohio.

But perhaps most interesting, is the story of Terry Thompson -- how he killed himself and why. GQ said Thompson was a Vietnam veteran and reportedly was never the same after returning home from war. Add in jail time and Thompson's wife allegedly cheating on him, and it's the perfect storm for what transpired that day.

But why take out his pain and anger on the animals he loved so much? The likely reason is because his wife loved them too, and it was the only way to also hurt her.

The GQ magazine featuring this article hits store shelves later this month. You can read it now online by following this link: http://on.wews.com/y6rCUx