Governor John Kasich this week signed a law that places new restrictions on exotic animals. Current owners can keep their creatures but must register them and owners will have to get a new state-issued permit by 2014. The law takes effect in 90 days. The exotic animals have been sold through auctions held in the state. His name is Thurman Mullett and he is the president of Mt. Hope Auction. His family has run the auction since 1985. They opened the exotic animal sales with bear cubs in 1990. I talked to Mullet about his thoughts about changes coming for exotic animals. Mulletâs biggest concern is this ban will eventually lead to no one owning an exotic animal since once they wonât be able to breed them and once they die they canât replace the animal.
Debbie Holmes has worked at WOSU News since 2009. She has hosted All Things Considered, since May 2021. Prior to that she was the host of Morning Edition and a reporter.