"I'm curious to know who this diatribe is directed at?"
Seems as if you have already answered this question.
You didn't read this post did you, kind of just skimmed over it? Go back and read the thread and I'm sure you can decide who, what, where and when, its not difficult.
"If so, what would you have proposed they should have done differently?"
?? Think??
"The police officers that responded had only their regular weapons, not tranquilizer guns. "
Zoo's have tranquilizer guns and a written assessment of what to do in the case of an animal escape, along with personnel that are trained for this event.
"No, the fear that since the tiger posed a real and present threat, others might be harmed. You seem to be under the impression that the tiger was captured, sequestered in a safe location and then the decision was made to destroy it. Not so."
Yes, that is a correct statement as far as the threat involved is concerned, but one that side steps the ultimate question of responsibility before the fact.
The decision to have the animal was made, the cages have been built, the plans for the unforeseeable events of animal escape laid out, the control of patrons entering an area of potential danger in place, but yet some fool comes in, does something that creates an incident that ends with death and we kill the only creature that responded exactly as it should?
Which of the systems failed?
1. The decision to have a dangerous animal....no!
2. The building of the cage...yes!
3. The plans or animal escape...no!
4. The equipment for animal capture...no!
5. Patron control...yes!
6. A human acting responsibly and not foolishly...yes!
And yet we kill the Tiger!
Where the police acting responsibly? Yes, since they are trained to defend life and when all else fails...shoot! Did all else fail...no! Nothing was done short of calling the police (not the animal control personnel, which are required to be on the grounds during hours of viewing) and they reacted as they where trained, (by the way, the police are not trained for this type of event) so they did what any reasonable officer would do, they shot the Tiger.
Any one that accepts the responsibility of owning a dangerous animal not only takes the responsibility of ownership but also the responsibility for that animals welfare! And if any one sees it any different they are side stepping responsibility!
And yes, I have raised a large dangerous animal and for fifteen years it was a wonderful companion, but I did so responsibly not only for those around us, but for the animal as well.
Hopefully that will answer your questions.
