Ohio Exotic Pets Relocating In Wake Of New Dangerous Exotic Animals Act
It’s moving day for numerous exotic pets in Ohio. Part of Ohio’s new dangerous exotic pets law, the Dangerous and Wild Animals Act takes effect September 3 and is already “forcing” exotic animal owners in the Buckeye State to get rid of dangerous exotic pets which do not meet new regulations and permit requirements, UPI reports. Although the law was passed after the headline grabbing exotic animal escape form Terry Thompson’s Zanesville area farm last October, Governor John Kasich assembled a team to comprise new exotic animal laws after taking office in 2011.
“It’s really hard to find homes for these animals. Private owners are afraid. They don’t know what the rules are going to be. It’s going to be a huge challenged. My goal is to keep these animals from being euthanized,” Lions, Tiger & Bears Big Cat sanctuary and Rescue of California stated during an interview with the Columbus Dispatch.
Dozens of dangerous exotic animals had to be destroyed after Thompson released the exotic pets, damaged the cages and the committed suicide. Ohio’s Dangerous and Wild Animals Act does not take full effect until January 2014.
The Ohio Association of Animal Owners plans to challenge the law. Some Ohio exotic animal owners are taking on new animals now while they still can and others are “waiting to see what happens”with legal challenges, according to statements the group’s representative Polly Britton made in the Columbus Dispatch.
