After weeks of redrafting, a bill to more-tightly regulate the ownership of exotic animals got its first hearing in the Statehouse on Thursday. The proposal from State Sen. Troy Balderson of Zanesville follows last yearâs chaotic scene outside a Zanesville exotic animal farm where police had to kill nearly 50 tigers, bears, and other animals released by their suicidal owner. Baldersonâs bill would prohibit people from acquiring additional dangerous wildlife, and current owners of lions, tigers and other large animals would be required to meet strict new care standards by the years 2014. It would also create an exemption for Massillon High School to continue displaying the famous Massillon Tiger at football games. Click the play button above to hear more details about the plan, and reaction from the Humane Society.
Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.