Does Ohio Need Stricter Exotic Animal Laws? (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | "Caution wild animals." The flashing words appeared for likely the first time on Interstate 70 in Ohio today. Approximately 51 animals were set free by Zanesville exotic animal collector Terry Thompson late Tuesday night before he took his own life. The incident has prompted renewed interest in tightening Ohio's very lax wild animals laws.

Liberal journalists are tapping away at their laptops blaming Gov. John Kasich for allowing an order issued by former Gov. Ted Strickland. The poor living conditions of many exotic animals and the potential for harm to Ohioans is not a partisan but a common-sense issue.

Gov. Kasich was never opposed to reforming exotic animal laws; he thought the sun-setting order was not strong enough and placed the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in charge of drafting a detailed plan. Kasich administration spokesman Rob Nichols spoke to local media today on the exotic animal laws issue. He reaffirmed the governor's commitment to reforming existing laws. According to Nichols, Gov. Kasich felt the Strickland order was not enforceable and had "no teeth."

The executive order issued by Strickland did not go far enough to prevent animal cruelty or to enhance public safety. The expired order did not ban the ownership of exotic animals; it only required owners to register their captive wild animals with the state. The liberal excitement to blame Gov. Kasich for the massive animal hunt going on in Zanesville is ridiculous.

Thompson had a permit for the animals he kept in small changes, so Strickland's order would have had zero impact on the current situation. Thompson's past animal care infractions may have prohibited a license renewal but he could kept his cruel collection by asking his wife to get a permit in her name.

The attack of an elderly caretaker at Kakos Exotics in Lorain County last month also would not have been prevented by the Strickland order. The owner had a permit to keep and sell the offspring of the kangaroo which turned the senior citizen into a bloody mess.

ODNR representatives have worked on new legislation which would have a real impact on exotic animal ownership, sell and transportation for several months. Hopefully common sense and compassion will prevail and true wild animal ownership reform will occur later this year.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/pets/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111019/us_ac/10227075_does_ohio_need_stricter_exotic_animal_laws

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