Ohio Governor Issues 11th Hour Ban on Exotic Pets

Ohio's Governor Ted Strickland, only days away from the end of his term, issued an emergency executive order this week banning the ownership of exotic pets. Under Strickland's order, Ohioans are prohibited from owning big cats, primates, crocodiles, alligators, bears, and certain snakes. Those who already own exotic pets are grandfathered in, but they must get their animal microchipped, and they can't replace their exotic pet when it dies (or in some cases, is taken away).

Strickland's last-minute move (Ohio's new governor-elect, John Kasich, is to be sworn in this weekend) is the right one for Ohio. The Buckeye State's laws on exotic animals are notoriously lax, almost non-existent actually, and most other states already have exotic pet laws on the books, for the protection of both animals and people.

There's a lot of backstory behind this order. One big part of the story is the so-called "Ohio Compromise," a controversial agreement between Strickland, the Ohio Farm Bureau, and the Humane Society of the United States. In exchange for a package of very necessary animal-related reforms, the HSUS agreed to pull back on a proposed statewide referendum they were seeking to change the state's animal protection laws. Strickland specifically noted that the exotic pet ban fulfills his end of the compromise.

The other big piece of backstory on Strickland's exotic pet ban is the case of Sam Mazzola. Mazzola is perhaps best described as a bear-wrestling entrepreneur. (You can't make this stuff up.) Despite numerous warnings and citations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees these kinds of things on a federal level, Mazzola remained in business (illegally, it seems). Earlier this year, one of his animals mauled its caretaker, 24-year-old Brent Kandra.

With Ohio on track, it's time to look closer at their next door neighbor, Indiana.

In Indiana, you can own an exotic pet, although you need a permit. The tragic ramifications of Indiana's soft stance on exotics hit home last year with the case of Kovu, a ten-year-old lion who died in an Indiana sanctuary. His death was tragic and unfortunately, avoidable. Kovu's death was attributable to living conditions in his pre-sanctuary existence on a "lion ranch" in Northwest Indiana.

Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, Kovu's final home, is rallying support for an exotic pet ban in Indiana, and they need your help.

Exotic pet ownership is bad for the animals; most owners don't have the facilities or sophistication to bring up a healthy and happy "pet." It's bad for humans as well, as the case of Brent Kandra shows all too clearly. Most states have, rightly, put the brakes on exotic pet ownership, including Ohio now. It's time for Indiana to follow suit.

Photo credit: rsgranne