NEWS

Lion seized from Tiger Ridge by ODA euthanized

Jessica Denton
Reporter

STONY RIDGE – A heartbreaking loss has becoming another motivating factor in Stony Ridge animal sanctuary's fight for the return of its exotic animals

Leo, a 19 year-old lion who was cared for by Kenny Hetrick at Tiger Ridge Exotics, just outside of Toledo, was put to sleep by the Ohio Department of Agriculture last Friday, where he had been kept since being seized by the state of Ohio in late January.

Corrina Hetrick, Kenny's daughter and media spokesperson for Tiger Ridge, said they news of Leo's death "absolutely destroyed" them.

Leo, along with six tigers, a black leopard, a liger, a bobcat and a Kodiak bear, was seized by the Ohio Department of Agriculture on January 28.

The ODA cited the Jan. 13 denial exotic animal permit and that a recent inspection of the five-acre facility revealed a failure "to comply with caging requirements needed for public safety and care standards intended to protect the animals" under the Ohio Revised Code.

The Hetricks were in court in Reynoldsburg on April 10 when Leo was put down. But they were not told that the state was euthanizing him.

"They could have pulled our attorney aside and said they were worried about his health, that he wasn't doing well but they didn't," she said.

She said their long-time veterinarian Dr. Richard Carstensen broke the news to them on Monday afternoon.

"Leo was humanely euthanized Monday afternoon after experiencing complications from his chronic hip issues," Erica Hawkins, Communications Director for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said in an email sent to the News Herald on Friday morning.

"Last week, department animal health staff began to observe signs of prolonged lateral recumbency, loss of appetite, increased rate of breathing and decreased ability to move," Hawkins email said.

Dr. Tony Forshey, the State Veterinarian, and Assistant State Vet Dr. Melissa Simmerman consulted with Dr. Richard Carstensen, Leo's long time vet and Dr. Randall Judge, Vice President of Animal Health for the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds, the email said.

"The lion was documented to be weak in the rear end and not walking correctly as far back as August 28, 2014, by an inspector of the U.S. Department of Agriculture," the email said. "All four vets recommended to humanely euthanize the lion given his condition, how long he had been declining, and that his ailment was irreversible.

What Corrina said the group found most disturbing is that they will be unable to lay Leo to rest with his parents, who both lived to be more than 27 years old.

Hawkins said Leo's body was to the ODA's Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratory where a gross necropsy (animal autopsy) would be performed. Results will likely not be available for 4-6 weeks.

"They said he was in a lab with dangerous and contagious diseases, so nothing comes out of there," Hetrick said.

Using a process called alkaline hydrolysis or "aquamation," Leo's body was placed in a mixture of water and lye and heated to a high temperature (around 160 °C — 320 °F), but at a high pressure, which prevents boiling. Instead, the body is effectively broken down into its chemical components, or liquidfied.

Hetrick said it was the cruelest way to treat him, calling Leo one "of God's creatures."

According to Hawkins, the other 10 animals are still being cared for by the state in Reynoldsburg and are "still thriving and in good general health."

Corrina believes Leo's death adds fuel to the fire in their fight to get the other 10 animals back to Tiger Ridge.

The sanctuary broke the news to supporters through a Facebook post on Monday, viewed by more than 450,000 people from around the world, Hetrick said.

Since the animals were seized in January, more than 10,000 letters have been sent to Gov. John Kasich to return the animals to the Stony Ridge facility.

"I've written every day," Hetrick said. "I've invited him to come to Tiger Ridge. I've gotten only one reply saying he would not meet with me, with no reasoning."

Hetrick said she had also reached out to the ODA to inspect the facility again. She said they've spent more than $86,000 in upgrades and in attorney fees in the last two months.

"If they would just come out, they would see we're compliant," she said. "They won't come out. They won't send us pictures, they won't let our attorney or our veterinarian inspect them."

Hetrick said she had received condolences from supporters around the country for those at Tiger Ridge who are mourning Leo's death. Many of them include photographs of lit candles with Leo's picture.

"It hits a nerve with people," she said. "People know you don't treat God's creatures like that."

A memorial service for Leo was planned at Tiger Ridge for 6 p.m on Saturday.

jdenton@gannett.com

419-734-7506

Twitter: @jessicadentonNH