via BBC News
Lions and bears charged at Ohio policemen arriving at a private game park where their owner had set them free, a police report says.
The report reveals just how close some animals came to the policemen and defends their decision to kill them.
Police say they were defending the public from aggressive animals – including tigers, wolves and monkeys.
They killed 48 wild animals after their owner, Terry Thompson, 62, opened their cages before shooting himself dead.
Police say their top priority was to stop the animals getting out of the fenced-off area and threatening neighbouring houses and Interstate highway 70.
But they faced grave personal danger as they attempted to contain the animals.
“As I backed the team up, the tiger came out the door and charged right at us,” forcing police to shoot the tiger, said Deputy Jay Lawhorne.
Another officer said he had to shoot a charging black bear 7ft (2.1m) away from him.
Read Full Story
Article courtesy bbc.co.uk
