Public safety comes first for exotic animal zoo in Manchester

MANCHESTER - Unlike Ohio, Iowa in 2007 passed strict legislation that bans the ownership of wild animals.

The issue came into focus this week after police said a Zanesville, Ohio, man released dozens of animals from their cages shortly before he killed himself. In the end, authorities had to kill nearly 50 of them, including rare tigers, lions and bears.

The Iowa law bans exotic animals from being privately owned, but exempts those owned before the law went into effect.

The Cricket Hollow Zoo in Manchester is one place in the state where exotic animals can still be found in private possession.

Unlike the Ohio case, co-owner Pam Sellner said her facility, which has been operating for 10 years, is approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She and her husband and fellow co-owner Tom also have an exhibitors license, and Sellner said the zoo meets all safety codes.

“We have to have a perimeter fence around our exotic and dangerous animals,” Sellner said. She said the animals could be dangerous, and “you don't want anything to happen to the animal or your people.”

Sellner said if an animal ever got loose, the couple would have to be prepared to destroy it, and would call on the sheriff's department. She said the USDA advises owners of exotic animals to shoot and kill them if they run wild.

“Public safety has to be our number one issue,” Sellner said.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office said it does not have traps or other items necessary to contain the animals if they do ever get loose.

The Cricket Hollow Zoo has not had any animals run wild, but last summer, a tiger attacked Tom Sellner during feeding time, causing injuries to his arm and head. Sellner blamed himself, saying he left a gate open, and let the 600-pound tiger surprise him from behind.