By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anyone thinking of owning a pet boa constrictor, cheetah or crocodile, may want to put that purchase on hold.

In one of his last pieces of legislation before leaving office, former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed an executive order last week banning new private ownership of dangerous wild animals and requiring existing private owners to register their animals with the state.

The order also details the types of facilities that can own and rehabilitate dangerous wild animals. The list of to-be-banned animals includes bears, lions, jaguars, leopards, cougars, coyotes, alligators, crocodiles, non-human primates, large constricting and venomous snakes.

The order is part of a deal struck with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and major farm organizations in June. The deal called for more stringent standards for livestock housing on Ohio farms as well as a ban on exotic pets.
“This action fulfills my responsibilities within the agreement that will keep Ohio’s vital agriculture industry profitable while appropriately updating animal care standards,” Strickland said. “This rule will help protect Ohioans from deaths and serious injuries caused by attacks from dangerous wild animals being held in private ownership.”

The order bans new ownership, breeding, sale, trade or barter of wild animals. People who already own exotic pets will have to register them and microchip the animals, but will also be able to keep them. They cannot replace the animals once they die.

Existing owners of these animals would be allowed to continue with their ownership if they register their animals by May 1, and every year thereafter. The order authorizes the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to immediately impose the new rules for the next 90 days until the state’s rule review committee approves permanent regulations.

“The rule is established so we can protect human health and safety against animal attacks from these dangerous animals,” said Mike Shelton, spokesman for the ODNR. “Earlier this year we had a bear attack an individual in the northern part of Ohio.”

In August of last year, 24-year-old Brent Kandra of Lorain County was the caretaker of a black bear that mauled him to death. This death and a man killed by his python in 2006 convinced Strickland, along with those from ODNR, to help ban new exotic pets.

The HSUS said Ohio was one of fewer than 10 states with virtually no regulation of private ownership of dangerous wild animals.

“Dangerous wild animals do not belong in the backyards and basements of private citizens,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS. “It’s bad for the animals and dangerous for people. This emergency order is good for Ohio, and we look forward to seeing it implemented in the months ahead.”
These emergency rules will be in place for 90 days. During those 90 days ODNR will submit these rules to the state’s rule making body, the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), for inclusion in Ohio’s Administrative Code. The JCARR process is expected to be completed before the executive order expires.
“This rule is a major step forward in protecting human life,” said ODNR Director Sean Logan. “While the rule will become effective immediately, under Ohio law it is only effective for 90 days. Therefore, we hope the incoming Administration will see the value of this effort and take the necessary steps to implement a permanent rule that would ban the ownership of these species.”

New Gov. John Kasich said Thursday he is inclined to stick with the new rule.
In Indiana, one can own a wild animal with just a license. The animals allowed include lions, hyenas, orangutans, anacondas and more.