ZANESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A sheriff says his office is investigating after horses repeatedly escaped from the Ohio farm where dozens of exotic animals were released by their suicidal owner and later killed by authorities last fall.

Two surviving leopards, two primates and a bear were returned to the owner's widow and the farm near Zanesville this month. That left some people concerned because nothing in Ohio law allows state officials to check on the animals' welfare.

Last week, horses were reported outside the farm three days in a row. Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz (lootz) tells WBNS-TV (http://telecomadvisors.biz/bit.ly/KF80fO ) he's concerned because horses on roadways could cause crashes. He says his office is monitoring the situation but isn't using it as a roundabout way to check on the exotic animals at the farm.

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Information from: WBNS-TV, http://telecomadvisors.biz/www.10tv.com/

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