West Gate Association

My sympathy and compassion to your first responders & other staff that were involved in the tragic killing of the exotic animals.  It must have been a traumatic episode that will haunt them and the citizens of Zanesville for the rest of their lives.  I question why didn't your state/local/county  government have an action plan in place to protect the community in case the exotic animals escaped? This situation was a potential public health emergency and your community should have had an emergency response plan in place.  Exotic animals should be licensened with liability insurance required. Dogs have to be licensed. Why not exoitic animals??. This tragedy could have been prevented or reduced  with proper licensing & oversight & planning. I understand that gun permits are required to purchase weapons yet people are allowed to purchase exotic dangerous animals without going through a permitting process. -this is a tragedy that could have been prevented!!!!    Ihope the citizens of Zanesville will join the national outcry to prevent additional tragedies such as this one from occuring in the future. Exotic pets need to be licensed, with adequate liability insurance and monitored.Their sales should be regulated to ensure that the animals are adequately cared for.