Bear in man’s backyard raises Bethel trustee’s ire

Sean Trimbach of Bets Exotics LLC, courtesy Dayton Daily News

MEDWAY — With the right bow tie, the adorable brown bear cub in the backyard of Sean Trimbach’s Crystal Lake home could pass for a real-life version of Boo-Boo…

“I’d love to get in there to wrestle around with her,” Trimbach said…

Acting on a neighbor’s recent complaint, Brown, a Bethel Twp. trustee, wants Trimbach to get rid of his bear.

“There are other houses around,” Brown said. “No one should have to live across the street from a bear.”…

Brown wants the state law changed.

“How am I supposed to tell the neighbors across the street with small children that, yes, we can regulate cows and goats, but we can’t regulate bears?” she asked…more

Mazzola’s animals relocated (with video)

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP — The area around 9978 North Marks Road will never be the same because the wild animals that belonged to the late Sam Mazzola, who died on July 10, are no longer there.

Mazzola’s collection of exotic animals such as lions, bears, and tigers are well-known throughout the area because he often invited neighbors to see them.

Since his death, three bears were relocated to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colo.

Pat Craig, the executive director of the animal sanctuary, said that a woman who said that she was Mazzola’s girlfriend called his sanctuary and told them that they were looking for a place for his bears. The sanctuary is one of only two in the country to take in bears...see video

Bears Expected To Be Removed From Sam Mazzola's Property Today

See video

Teen handcuffed Sam Mazzola to waterbed, sheriff’s officials say

A 17-year-old boy chained and handcuffed Sam Mazzola to the waterbed where the same teen found Mazzola dead on Sunday morning, Lorain County sheriff’s Sgt. Donald Barker said Thursday…more

Teen boy chained Mazzola

Mazzola’s death is another chapter in the story of the controversial wild animal owner. For years, he was the subject of complaints and investigations concerning the animals he kept at his North Marks Road home in Columbia Station and the bear wrestling act he operated before it was shut down...more