By Ann Sanner
COLUMBUS ? Ohio officials are preparing to impose new rules on owners of exotic animals ? along with hiring more staff and writing new caretaking standards ? without knowing exactly how many lions, leopards, bears and other creatures are living in the state.
That?s because until the governor signs the new regulations into law, which is expected in the coming weeks, Ohio?s restrictions on exotic pets have been among the nation?s weakest.
Efforts to strengthen the law took on new urgency after owner Terry Thompson released 50 animals, including black bears, mountain lions and Bengal tigers, from his eastern Ohio farm in Zanesville in October, then committed suicide. Authorities killed 48 of the animals as a public safety measure. Two others were believed to have been eaten by other animals.
The state Legislature cleared a bill last week that would immediately ban people from buying new dangerous exotic animals, such as cheetahs and crocodiles, once the measure takes effect.
Current owners could keep their creatures by obtaining a new state-issued permit by 2014. They would have to pass a background check, pay permit fees, obtain liability insurance and show inspectors that they can properly contain the animal and adhere to other standards.
Within 60 days after the bill?s effective date, owners would have to microchip their dangerous wildlife and register them. They?ll have to tell the state where the animals are, how many they have, what the creatures look like and who their veterinarian is, among other details.
State officials hope the registration process will give them a better handle on Ohio?s exotic animal population.
?We?re really kind of dealing with the unknown here,? said Dr. Tony Forshey, the state?s veterinarian, in a recent interview. ?We don?t know how many is out there.?
Rough estimates by the department put the number of dangerous animals in the state close to 640, which includes venomous snakes. Officials acknowledge that figure is just a guess. It?s based on information from owners who are licensed with state or the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with reports from law enforcement.
Forshey said he expects that it will take time to figure out how many dangerous creatures are in Ohio. But, he said, the state is better equipped once the bill becomes law.
The state?s Agriculture Department hopes to get the word out to owners about registering their animals through organizations such as the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, zoo associations and veterinarians.
State agencies, the USDA and wildlife experts from as far away as California will meet next month to put together a list of potential animal sanctuaries and rescue facilities for unwanted or uncared for animals, Forshey said.
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