A zebra attacked its owner at an Ohio home and bit the man’s arm before being shot by a sheriff’s deputy, authorities said.
The attack took place in Circleville around 5:30 pm on Sunday. Pickaway County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the home and found the man lying on the ground in a fenced field.
The large male zebra became aggressive and charged at a deputy cruiser that was positioned to keep the animal away from the prey, the sheriff’s office said. A deputy was able to briefly scare it off using their cruiser’s horn and siren, but the zebra continued to charge at the deputy and other first responders.
Pickaway County Sheriff’s
After deputies administered a tourniquet and helped the victim to a nearby ambulance, the zebra returned, reports CBS affiliate WBNS. Officers were advised by the family that they could shoot the zebra if he came close, the station reported.
Bodycam footage released by the sheriff’s office shows the zebra approaching deputies when one fires a shotgun, striking it in the head and killing it, WBNS reports.
It is unclear what caused the zebra’s aggressive behavior, but officials said it was trying to protect some female zebras in the same field.
The zebra’s owner was hospitalized but is expected to recover. Incident reports initially said the victim’s hand had been cut off based on the 911 call but the sheriff later confirmed the man’s arm was not bitten, WBNS reports.
Pickaway County deputies shot and killed a zebra after it attacked a man and amputated his arm on Sunday https://t.co/Wg6vYnsLhl #10TV
— 10TV (@10TV) March 13, 2023
No other human or animal injuries were reported.
According to the San Diego Zoo, zebras can run up to 35 miles per hour and “can deliver a powerful kick that can cause serious injury.”
They are not considered exotic animals under Ohio law.
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