Enact Ohio Exotic Pet Law NOW!
Time and time again, we experience incidents of exotic animal "mishaps" that pose a threat to public safety. How long will we continue to let the same man-made 'incidents' happen again and again without proper action?
Months ago, in Ohio, many will remember the exotic animals such as lions, tigers, bears and wolves, which were released from the Muskingum County Animal farm by the owner of the facility before he himself committed suicide. And, this is just one incident of keeping exotics that has gone horribly awry. There are countless.
Today, several months after this occurred, the Ohio Legislature is still sitting on their hands and has yet to move forward with any legislation regarding exotics in the state. This is inexcusable. How many people or animals must be killed before this is made a priority?
Tell Senator Troy Balderson of Ohio that his draft bill on exotic animal ownership in OH needs to be completed and submitted immediately. The prevention of private ownership of exotic animals is vital to the safety of our communities.
We the undersigned are writing to ask that you urgently put forward legislation stemming the private ownership of exotic animals in Ohio. The majority of US states already have such laws on the books but Ohio is way behind and public safety is consequentially in jeopardy.
Months ago, Ohio experienced a horrific situation in which 48 animals were gunned down due to the irresponsible owner of the farm from which they were released. How long will we continue to let the same man-made 'incidents' happen again and again without proper action? How long will we blame captive wild animals for displaying natural-born behaviors?
In this case, the local authorities were forced to make a choice and they chose to err on the side of caution and shoot down the innocent animals.
It is abundantly clear that we need legislation preventing the private ownership of exotic animals in Ohio. We cannot let more animals or people needlessly die because of our lack of proper controls.
Please take swift action to enact proper legislation that will protect citizens and these exotic species that we are continuing to needlessly put in harm's way. The draft bill which has been created must be finalized immediately. The people and animals of Ohio cannot wait any longer.
