Ohio Passes Bill Regulating Exotic Animal Ownership

October 18th, 2011 marks the date when 49 innocent animals lost their lives. On that date Terry Thompson of Zanesville, Ohio selfishly released 56 of his personal (exotic) animals. He not only endangered the lives of everyone in the surrounding area, but he also cost 49 of those animals their life. This incident is what inspired me to start this blog. I wanted to speak up for animals and their rights. They are just as important to this world as human beings are, they just don’t have a voice to defend themselves like we do.

Nearly eight months after this tragedy took place, legislation was just passed (on Tuesday June 6th) in Ohio regulating the ownership of exotic animals. According to the Columbus Dispatch, “Ohio has been one of seven states that have no restrictions on private ownership of exotic animals.” This lack of legislation is what allowed Terry Thompson to own 56 exotic animals, including tigers, lions, leopards, mountain lions, bears, wolves and monkeys.

“Gov. John Kasich shakes the hand of Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, after signing Senate Bill 310, which regulates the sale and ownership of exotic animals in the state.” (photo and text provided by The Columbus Dispatch)

The Dispatch writes, “The law, which takes effect in 90 days, bans the acquisition, sale and breeding of restricted species in Ohio as of Jan. 1, 2014. However, the mandatory registration of banned species by current owners will begin when the bill takes effect. Owners can keep their animals as long as the animals live if they register them with the state and follow regulations on caging, signage and care. On the restricted list are large cats, bears, elephants, certain monkeys, rhinos, alligators, crocodiles, anacondas and pythons longer than 12 feet, certain vipers and venomous snakes.”

“The law was supported by all zoos in the state, however many private owners blasted the law at a series of legislative hearings, saying it would force them to ‘go underground’ with their animals or move out of state. The Humane Society of the United States, Born Free USA and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals issued statements in response to Kasich’s bill signing.”

“Common sense, rather than tragedy, should drive public policy decisions, but sometimes it takes a high-profile event to focus the attention of lawmakers on issues not in the headlines,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the Humane Society. “We are grateful to Gov. Kasich and the legislature for standing firm on this issue.”

This legislations does not guarantee that people will stop buying exotic animal, animal trafficking is a huge issue in this country, but I do believe it is a step in the right direction.

Click here to read the article: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2012/06/06/kasich-signs-ohios-first-exotic-animal-regulations.html

☮ Lindsey

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