It is very sad when one man (being a loon) has the authority and control to determine the future of these animals. Not so long ago it was legal to keep these big cats as pets in Ireland until more and more livestock were getting mauled and it was determined the reason was people getting drunk and deciding to let their animals out for a wander and never returning.
No one person should ever have authority or ability to free such animals, zoos or private collections, well private collections should not be allowed full stop.
On the upside I expect the sheriff and his deputies won't need to safari this year and he got plenty hours of overtime out of them without time and a half!!
Very sad.