More than half of exotic animal permits unresolved
By Steven Matthews, Dayton Daily News, Ohio | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The state said in early February that it hoped to complete the application and permitting process by the end of March, but challenges such as insurance and caging requirements have slowed the process, said
Through the end of March, 33 permits had been issued, 42 permits were pending and none had been denied, Hawkins said. The new Ohio Dangerous Wild Animal Act took full effect
"We were hoping to have a few more done at this point, but at the same time, we want to work with owners and give them the time they need to get their pieces in order if they want to keep their animals," Hawkins said. "It's a balancing act."
The state will continue to work with owners during the permitting process, she said, in addition to reaching out to owners who registered their animals but did not apply for a permit. No animals have been seized by the state, Hawkins said.
Hawkins did not want to speculate when the permitting process will be completed, but said the state will "need to start to look at denying permits" at some point.
"We're going to do what we can for the owners who genuinely want to be in compliance," Hawkins said.
During a two-month registration period in late 2012, 150 owners -- private citizens and zoos -- registered a total of 888 dangerous wild animals, according to the
Before the law was established,
"(The state law) is a real positive for the future of the state of
Harrison said he feared some owners might set their animals free this summer.
"We have to be ready for that, and we are," he said.
Hawkins said the state will continue to enforce the ban on acquiring new exotic animals and bringing them into the state, as well as monitor permitted owners to make sure their facilities are maintained.
"There are always going to be folks with any law that are going to want to operate as they have been, despite what they're doing is now illegal," Hawkins said. "We're not being naive."
State officials phased in aspects of the Dangerous Wild Animal Act that Gov.
Owners of registered dangerous wild animals began applying for permits from the
Last month, a federal appeals court upheld
Seven owners sued the state, claiming the new state law will hurt their business of breeding and selling exotic animals, while compelling them to join exempted organizations they don't support. Representatives from the
"The regulations the state is asking for is what you owe the animal as an owner," Brink said. "It's not like the state is not willing to work with these people. They want to see the animals cared for. They deserve the proper diet and medical care. That needs to come first, not everything else."
The state built a taxpayer-funded,
Construction was completed at the end of
The state legislation was sparked by an
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