Leopard sightings confirmed near Dayton
By Dave Larsen and Steve Bennish
Staff Writers
Updated 9:19 AM Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Local animal control officials on Monday confirmed three sightings earlier this year of a black leopard, but said the public shouldn't panic.The leopard hasn't been seen since April, said Tim Harrison, director of Outreach for Animals, a local nonprofit dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of owning exotic animals.Maj. Dave Hale of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said two sightings were around the Stillwater River and Frederick Pike. No one has reported a pet leopard missing to the sheriff's office, he said, and the animal — if it is real — could be well out of the area by now.Investigators from Outreach for Animals and the Humane Society of Greater Dayton searched the area three times with infrared cameras and haven't seen so much as a paw print in nearly two months.
"This cat is most likely back with his owners," Harrison said.A black leopard averages in size from 60 to 100 pounds. One witness said it was bigger than a black Labrador Retriever, with a long bushy tail.A number of people in the Dayton area own leopards and African lions, said Harrison, a retired Oakwood police officer. "They do get out every once in a while," he said.Ohio is one of less than 10 states that don't regulate ownership of wild animals, according to the U.S. Humane Society. Regulations are now under study by Gov. Kasich's administration.Harrison said owning an exotic animal is like having a "time bomb" that could go off at any time, even in its owner's home."
If you see something like this please do not run, because that triggers a natural instinct in the cat to chase you and knock you down," Harrison said.The Daily, an iPad news app, published an article Monday on the leopard saying the animal was prowling streets and parks. "(The article) shouldn't have been done the way it was," Harrison said.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/leopard-sightings-confirmed-near-dayton-1205078.html
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