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Incident Response to Exotic Animals in Muskingum County, Ohio

On October 18, 2011, Muskingum County faced a critical incident involving loose exotic animals, including lions and bears. Sheriff Matt Lutz, who has over 23 years of experience, led the response after receiving a call from a local resident. The incident required swift action to ensure public safety. Deputies were dispatched to secure the area, resulting in the humane euthanization of multiple animals and coordination with local emergency agencies. The response highlighted the importance of preparation, communication, and community support in crisis management.

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Incident Response to Exotic Animals in Muskingum County, Ohio

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  1. Muskingum County Exotic Animal Incident

  2. Muskingum County • Located in South Eastern Ohio. • Large farming and Agriculture community. • Population - 86,000 • Square miles – 680 • County Seat – Zanesville. City sits in the middle of our county and I-70 from Columbus goes straight through

  3. Sheriff Matt Lutz • Took over as Sheriff on Jan 5, 2009. • Will have 23 years complete on March 12 • Started out at 20yoa as a dispatcher. • Worked as a corrections officer, a road deputy, a road Sergeant and a road Lieutenant. Also served as a Detective and also as a Detective Sergeant. • Appointed Police Chief in S. Zanesville.

  4. The Call • The call came in at 5:00pm 10/18/2011 • The caller was Dolly Kopchak. Her son, Sam was outside and spotted the loose exotic animals. • Was getting his pony in while a Lion watched him. • Was very calm. Have lived beside the Thompson Farm for a long time.

  5. The Response • My office has 110 employees and we have a jail. • We have 32 primary response deputies. • We had 6 on duty during this shift. • Sgt. Steve Blake was the OIC. • Dep. Jonathon Merry was one of the first to arrive on scene.

  6. Response…con’t • Dep. Merry encountered animals immediately. Shot a Wolfe, a Black Bear and a Lion. • Sgt. Blake called Capt. Lecocq. • Capt. Lecocq called me and I responded to the scene.

  7. My Response • Had just finished supper. Was my only night off that week. • Capt. Lecocq called me. We thought we had 1 or 2 animals loose. • Had prior knowledge of the farm, the type and volume of the animals that were there. • Rescue animals • This really helped.

  8. My Response…con’t • While in route, heard the radio traffic. Knew we had a huge problem. • Made the DECISION. Was not hard. • Have never thought twice about it. • Familiarity with the farm helped. • Public safety was the only thing on my mind.

  9. My Response…con’t • First calls were to my EMA Coordinator and my Director of Operations. • I wanted to get an Emergency Broadcast Message out. • They took charge and did numerous things without me. (ie. EOC, Restrooms, Food, Tents, location) • Called for Zoo and Wilds

  10. The Scene • Upon arrival – Animals laying dead • Spoke to caretaker and Capt. Lecocq started an inventory list. • Called for SRT – Equipment – • Started a containment plan. • 1st initiative was to secure scene. • Evaluate.

  11. The Scene…con’t • Sgt. Blake had discovered deceased. • Placed him in truck, shooters in back. • Patrolled farm to secure. • Placed 2nd truck on the back side of property. • Placed two deputies on I-70 w/light plants. • Used Fire Departments for lighting

  12. The Scene…con’t • Shooters were using .308 and .223 rifles. • Were shooting to kill. Multiple shots. Did not want a wounded animal. • Ran low on ammo. Know your contacts. • Cancelled schools. Spoke with Supers. • OSHP and ODN were a big help.

  13. Recovery • Secured the scene that night at about 1100pm to 1130pm. Drive arounds. • Had two deputies stay for security and they started inventory. Handled theft case. • Weather report. Huge asset. • Next day, continued to search for animals. • Located tiger??? Tried to dart!!!!! • Animals buried on property.

  14. Jack Hannah • Can’t imagine what the outcome would have been without him. • Big supporter • Interviews • Task Force • Surviving animals

  15. Media • I learned a lot from trainings and conferences. • We scheduled press conferences and they pretty much left us alone. • Had someone designated in taking calls and requests from the media – story. • Had them state who they worked for. • Didn’t speculate….

  16. Media…con’t • They media tried to get me to expand… • Kept focused on the issue. • Didn’t want to turn it into a mockery. • Still had a victim. • Had a pre-news conference meeting with staff each time to talk about what was to be released and what wasn’t. • Fed them.

  17. Aftermath • With every decision there is going to be the chance of criticism from one side. • Have to have thick skin. • Dispatchers took the majority. • Debrief • Take care of your people – help if needed. • Negative voice mail, email and regular mail.

  18. Aftermath…con’t • Most did not have the facts and circumstances. • Support from the public was a huge boost. • Support from Elected Officials and other agencies helped. • It is important to establish contacts and make calls to those people before you actually need them.

  19. Anything Different??? • Nothing on decision. • Would have set up separate phone line for the dispatchers to take off pressure. • Accountability could have been better in the first 6-8 hours. • No cameras on site? • Should have tried more legal issues about this farm. Topic was hot issue. Task force.

  20. Questions????? • Sheriff Matt Lutz • Muskingum County Sheriffs Office • 1840 East Pike • Zanesville, Ohio 43701 • 740-455-7928 • 740-819-6029

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