Hearing Set Over Quarantine of Ohio Exotic Animals

A hearing has been scheduled over Ohio's quarantine order for five exotic animals  kept at the Columbus Zoo since their escape in October. The zoo began caring for three leopards, two primates and a bear under the order after their suicidal owner released dozens of animals that had to be killed by authorities near Zanesville. One of the leopards was euthanized two weeks ago after it was struck by a door lowering between two enclosures. An attorney for the owner's widow wrote to the Ohio Department of Agriculture after the incident, demanding a previously requested appeal hearing on the quarantine order. They also sought medical testing to prove the animals don't need to be quarantined. The department said late Friday the appeal hearing has been scheduled for March 12.