Strickland bans owning wild animals

[The Straight Story]

Strickland bans owning wild animals

Buying or selling a big cat, bear, wolf, primate, crocodile or large constricting or venomous snake is now officially banned in Ohio.

And if you already have one of those critters and want to keep it, you'll have to register it with the state by May 1 and annually thereafter, under terms of an executive order issued yesterday by Gov. Ted Strickland.

"This rule will help protect Ohioans from deaths and serious injuries caused by attacks from dangerous wild animals held in private ownership," Strickland said in a statement.

The governor's emergency order, which is effective immediately, will expire after 90 days. That is long enough, the outgoing governor reasoned, for a permanent exotic-animal ban to be submitted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and accepted by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, a legislative panel.

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/01/07/copy/strickland-bans-owning-wild-animals.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

[SoCalDem]

1. A good thing..

Trafficking in these creatures leads to many deaths (animal deaths).

These "accessory pets" need to be outlawed. Glad he did it.

[realisticphish]

2. I'm 95% behind this

as long as there are very clear regulations involved. A definition of "large constricting" snake would be helpful. Are they only talking reticulated pythons and the like, or are they including other, mid-sized pythons and boas? I assume small species like ball pythons and red tail boas would be exempt, but I'd like clarification.

Other than that, I'm fine with it. Especially concerning the large mammals. Crocodilians and large/venomous snakes are obviously animals that need specialist care, but too many people think, "OOO, FUZZY!!" when they see a bear or a wolf.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Does the order cover teabaggers?

I don't think people should own animals like those either.

[safeinOhio]

4. Kasich will overturn this

job killing move.

:sarcasm:

[WolverineDG]

5. Good!

Wild animals should either be in the wild, or if that is not possible, on a reserve staffed with people who know how to take care of them.

dg

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Wild animals are popular with meth lab operators here

Scary combination.