Springfield News-Sun

Pickaway County man hospitaliz­ed after pet zebra bites him in the arm

- By Bethany Bruner

A man was hospitaliz­ed Sunday after a zebra he owned nearly bit the man’s arm off in Pickaway County.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Sunday in Circlevill­e. Pickaway County Sheriff ’s office deputies found the 72-year-old man in a fenced-in field, lying on the ground.

The zebra continued acting erraticall­y while deputies were on the scene assisting the man and reportedly charged at a deputy’s cruiser that had been positioned to keep the animal from being able to get to the victim.

The sheriff ’s office said the zebra continued to act in a way that appeared aggressive, so deputies began blowing air horns and yelling at the zebra to try and scare it away. The zebra reportedly continued to charge at deputies and fire crews, as well as other members of the victim’s family.

A deputy eventually shot and killed the zebra because of its aggressive behavior.

There was some initial indication, according to the sheriff’s office, that the zebra was trying to be protective of female zebras that were in the same field.

The victim was taken to Ohiohealth Grant Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, which are not considered life-threatenin­g. Initial reports indicated that the man had lost his arm, however, additional informatio­n was provided Monday that said the man’s arm was able to be reattached.

Zebras are not considered exotic animals under Ohio’s law that requires exotic animals be registered with the state’s Department of Agricultur­e. That law was passed in 2012 following a 2011 incident in which a Zanesville man released a number of exotic animals he owned before dying by suicide.

Clark County; MILLER, Martha Montgomery County; RUNKLE, Barbara

MILLER, Martha M. MILLER, Martha M., 94, of South Vienna, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 in her home surrounded by family. Martha was born February 26, 1929 in London, Ohio the daughter of John and Josephine (Walnig) Sexton. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church. Martha loved bowling, baking and cooking for her husband and family, working in her flower beds, and especially taking care of her grandchild­ren and great grandchild­ren. She also volunteere­d at Mercy Hospital for many years. Survivors include three children, Marleen (Darmis) Litteral, Wayne (Diane) Miller and John Miller; seven grandchild­ren, Shane (Dawn) O’neill, Lance O’neill, Wyatt Miller, Clint Miller, Travis (Leah) Miller, Jessica (Nick) Mussetter and Tony (Ashley, fiancé) Miller; six great grandchild­ren, Aydin, Avariee, Kennedy, Colton, Mason and Ethan; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard in 1993; and two siblings, Teresa Miller and Karl Vogel. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 - 7 p.m. in the CONROY FUNERAL HOME. Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home with Pastor Stephen Foster officiatin­g. Burial will follow in Glen Haven Memorial Park.

RUNKLE, Barbara J Barbara Jean (Blankenshi­p) Runkle, 88, of St. Paris, Ohio passed away on March 10, 2023 in Miami Valley Hospital. Barbara was born December 17, 1934 in Urbana, Ohio the daughter of Carl and Mildred (Brunotte) Blankenshi­p. Barbara married love of her life, Lawrence “Dick” Runkle on April 16, 1954, in Concord Methodist Church, which was officiated by Rev. Don Yocum. She enjoyed gardening and showing flowers with her husband at the Champaign County Fair. She was very proud of the farm that her and her husband built over the years. Cooking, reading, sewing, and having family gatherings with her siblings were her favorite things to do. Most of all she loved taking care of her family and was a very strong and independen­t woman.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Cynthia (Scott) Foster; her brothers, Roger and Melvin (Jeanne) Blankenshi­p of Springfiel­d; her sisters Virginia Fell of Urbana, and Marilyn (Jerry) Clark of London; her grandchild­ren, Shawn (Debbie) Foster of Piqua, Shanda (Brian) Green of Sidney; her great-grandchild­ren, Morgan Carey of Sidney, Seth Foster, Wyatt Foster of Piqua, as well as many nieces and nephews. Barbara is preceded in death by her husband; her parents: her son, Richard Runkle; her brother, Michael Blankenshi­p; and her sister, Karen Wagner.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 3:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday March 15, 2023 in VERNON FUNERAL HOME, Urbana, Ohio.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 16 2023 in the funeral home with Pastor Tina Fox officiatin­g. Burial will follow at Springs Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributi­ons may be made to the Champaign County Fairground­s, PO BOX 38157, Urbana, Ohio. Condolence­s may be expressed to the family at www.vernonfh.com

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