Keep Exotic Animal Ban

Tell Gov Kasich to keep deal on exotic animal ban

Dear LOHVers,

Ohio legislators have been practically terrorized for decades, by a small, but well-organized group of exotic pet breeders, to protect their financial interests, instead of our native wildlife, the well-being of the vast majority of Ohio residents and the welfare of animals listed in the executive order to stop individuals from acquiring dangerous wild "pets".

See this page of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association website, for an actual copy of the order: [download pdf].

Although the number of exotic pet escapes may be low, the risk to public safety is high with even one escape, as should be clear from just these few US exotic pet "incident" examples:

2004: Hamilton County Ohio woman killed by bite from "pet" viper (venomous snake)

2005: one of two "pet" monkeys jumped into a passing truck and bit 20-year-old driver, after both animals escaped from Noble County Ohio owner's home.

2006: Two attacks by "pet" bears, both in Ohio, owned by different people - one in Ashtabula County on May 22 and another in Tuscarawas County on Dec. 2. At least one of these bears was shot and killed.

2007: Adult, 550 lb. "pet" lion attacked passing cars on a nearby highway, after an escape from his Pike County Ohio owner's home. (This particular case was the subject of an excellent documentary, coming soon to theatres all over the US. Please plan to go see this lion's living conditions and what happened to him.)

2008: Two incidents, both in Morrow County Ohio, involving "pet" bears, owned by different people one escape in Mount Gilead on Sept. 19 and one attack in Marengo on Nov. 24. Both bears were shot and killed.

2009: 2-year-old Florida girl bitten and squeezed to death by an escaped "pet" python (constrictor snake). The snake was stabbed by the owner and, later, seized by law enforcement.

2010: 24-year-old man mauled to death by Lorain County OH friend's pet bear. The bear was euthanized.

Tragedies such as those cited above have recently motivated Connecticut legislators to enact an exotic bet ban law, prompted by a vicious attack on a woman by a "pet" chimpanzee.

The apparent increasing rate of exotic pet ownership also poses a less obvious, but serious risk to native Ohio wildlife. In fact, the accidental and deliberate release of these animals has already caused problems in other states, such as CA, FL, and TX. Ohio's pounds and rescues are overflowing with stray and owner-surrendered dogs and cats, too. So it's only logical to assume that at least a few exotic pets are always loose in Ohio and out there now, threatening wildlife habitat and possibly carrying diseases with the potential to devastate entire species.

Based on the reasons stated above, LOHV Ohio believes the order to ban ownership of exotic pets was a godsend for the animals and for those of us who care about animal and human protection. So we implore all LOHV Ohio members to take the following actions ASAP:

During normal business hours (8-5, M-F) call Governor Kasich's office, 614-466-3555, to politely explain to one of the Governor's assistants that
You were dismayed to learn the Governor has waffled on his reported understanding of this ban as being a reasonable necessity to protect Ohioans, as well as the welfare of the animals listed in the ban [click here] and that
As an Ohio resident, you would like for the 90 day executive order to be immediately finalized.
Next, email Governor Kasich, [click here], to state the same message again.
Finally, forward this alert to all of your Ohio resident family members, friends and acquaintances and urge them to do the same. In addition, please invite your animal loving family, friends and neighbors to join LOHV Ohio, which can be done online, by clicking on the link to our website, http://lohv-ohio.org/.

Katie Davis, LOHV Ohio