Cheetah 911, Official Wants Zoo to Call You
Ken Bohn
They are so cute when they're little, but when they grow up they can scare the polish off expensive Italian loafers.
Only in Greenwich, or on the Greenwich line, would you have a private zoo, complete with cheetahs. One owned by an Olympic Silver medalist, no less.
Should one of those exotic cats flee the private zoo and roam free in the community of million-dollar homes, a “Reverse 911” system would be a good idea, First Selectman Peter Tesei told the Greenwich Time.
Lionshare Farm, an animal sanctuary, has approval to bring in three cheetahs from South Africa to add to the menagerie that includes a peacock, several small monkeys, a camel, a giraffe and two striped hyenas.
Because of that, Tesei said he supports a system that gets the word out that there’s a dangerous animal on the loose.
"An animal they can't get under control that escapes the perimeter of the property -- I think that's the main issue," Tesei said.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has said the center must assure authorities, such as police and the first selectman, that it's taking all the necessary precautions.
Lionshare representatives have said the center has taken precautions to keep the animals in safe, contained facilities, where professional zookeepers and veterinarians care for them.
The Olympic medalist, by the way, is Peter Leone, a world-class horseman.
Posted Tuesday, Oct 27, 2009 - 8:18 AM EST
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