Pet zebra nearly bites Ohio man's arm off; animal fatally shot, authorities say

Bethany Bruner, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Ohio man was hospitalized Sunday after a zebra he owned nearly bit the man's arm off.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Sunday in the city of Circleville, about 20 miles south of Columbus. Pickaway County Sheriff's office deputies found the man in a fenced-in field, lying on the ground.

The zebra, while deputies were on the scene assisting the man, continued acting erratically and reportedly charged at a deputy's cruiser that had been positioned to keep the animal from being able to get to the victim.

The sheriff's office said the zebra continued to act in a way that appeared aggressive, so deputies began blowing air horns and yelling at the zebra to try and scare it away. The zebra reportedly continued to charge at deputies and fire crews, as well as other members of the victim's family.

A deputy eventually shot and killed the zebra because of its aggressive behavior.

There was some initial indication, according to the sheriff's office, that the zebra was trying to be protective of female zebras that were in the same field.

The victim was taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, which are not considered life-threatening. Initial reports indicated that the man had lost his arm, however, additional information was provided Monday that said the man's arm was able to be reattached.

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Can you own zebras in Ohio?

Zebras are not considered exotic animals under Ohio's law that requires exotic animals be registered with the state's Department of Agriculture. That law was passed in 2012 following a 2011 incident in which a Zanesville man released a number of exotic animals he owned before dying by suicide.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Pet zebra bites Ohio man's arm; animal fatally shot: Authorities