Lions, (really, just one) But, No Tigers, or Bears.

In a Buckeye Lake, Ohio neighborhood called Fairfield Beach there is a couple who owns a lion.  Someone thought it would be funny to break the locks on the cage, and leave a trail of "cooked ribs and chicken giblets."  There was no word on how the giblets were prepared.  Since lions are known to be carnivorous, and ravenous, the lion left the cage and grabbed a snack.

Ownership of exotic animals is a very serious matter in Ohio.  There was a man in Zanesville who owned several large, dangerous animals, and let them go, and people were mad, so mad they demanded action.  Acting quickly and authoritatively the state  government passed a law saying if you owned large, dangerous animals you had to register them, microchip them and could not let them go.

Not everyone is so well versed in the law as we here at Life Explained and some unknown ne'er do well loosed the lion on an unsuspecting neighborhood. Being a cat the lion found a sunny place to lay down, in a neighbors yard.  Where the neighbors saw the lion and called the authorities.

Since Ohio is so wary of wild animals, the police acted quickly and, according to the Columbus Dispatch "within about a half hour six deputies, and a wildlife officer swarmed the quiet neighborhood."  Fortunately, quiet, rural neighborhoods and their lions move at a slower pace, so the lion was still anticipating it's next move.

Which turned out to be walking slowly back up the street to its house, where the owners boyfriend put it on a leash and led it back to the cage.  

Another potential disaster avoided by the quick action of our law enforcement officers, and a lion owners boyfriend.

Rampaging Chickens.

According to a report in Sioux Falls Argus Leader, "Residents will need a license to own more than six chickens in the city limit."  This article was directly above the help wanted ad for "Municipal Chicken Counters, no experience necessary."

It may be a reform that is long past due.  Perhaps the city of Sioux Falls is about to be buried alive under domestic chickens.  There are so many good reasons for this sort of legislation.

Often, though, these laws, good intentioned though they may be, have unforeseen consequences.  What is going to happen to the 7th and 8th chickens in the yard of the Smiths on 9th street?  Here is a picture taken outside of a convenience store.  Clearly, this is not what the cautious and careful members of the Sioux Falls City Council had in mind while considering this law. 


But, the chicken is out of the bag now, and a terrified nation can only hope that it gets straightened out before tourist season is completely ruined.

Please, elected officials, legislate with care, the trusting citizens of this nation depend on your Solomon like wisdom.