Panel on exotics to replace Ohio ban for now
By Cindy Steinle · April 5, 2011 5:11 pm
Just before leaving office, former Ohio governor Ted Strickland enacted a fast and wide-sweeping ban on exotic pets that made many reptile keepers criminals. The 90 day emergency order is expiring; what is new Governor John Kasich doing about it?
From the Middletown Journal:
Gov. John Kasich “supports the regulation of dangerous wild animals to ensure the public’s safety and animals’ humane treatment,” Jones, added. The governor “also believes any new regulations should be developed in a transparent way with input from the public and those who have interests at stake.” The Humane Society of the United States said Monday that data collected from news reports and government documents indicate Ohio ranks fourth among the 50 states in dangerous incidents involving big cats, bears, and primates. Since 1990, at least 29 people in Ohio, including eight children, suffered injuries and one person was killed. It urged Kasich “to move quickly to issue regulations that will restrict the sale and possession of dangerous wild animals.”Notice the danger from reptiles was never addressed, but they were added in with the other exotic pets. This leaves reptile owners hoping Kasich is not as easily swayed by animal rights lobbying groups and can stand up for pet owners.
