News from Ohio

Gov. Kasich signs order on exotic animals rules
Gov. John Kasich today signed an executive order allowing the Ohio Department of Agriculture to establish on an emergency basis rules regarding standards for care, control and security of exotic animals that are on a restricted species list under a new state law.

The rules must, by law, be in place by Dec. 4. A special exotic animals board is hammering out details for exotic animals and snakes covered by the law which took effect in September. However, Kasich issued the order to allow the department to move ahead with the rules on an emergency basis.
http://dispatchpolitics.dispatch.com...mal-rules.html

Humane Society wants to join Ohio exotics lawsuit
COLUMBUS: The Humane Society of the United States wants to join the state in defending a lawsuit that challenges Ohio’s new law regulating dangerous wildlife.

The lawsuit filed earlier this month in Columbus federal court by four owners of exotic animals contends the restrictions threaten their First Amendment and property rights.

The Humane Society asked Judge George Smith on Tuesday to allow the organization to intervene in the lawsuit.

The organization says it has a significant interest in defending the law that it strongly supported, as well as an interest in the lawsuit’s outcome since the organization is pushing similar laws nationwide.

Ohio’s law followed the 2011 mass killings of dozens of escaped wild animals that had been released by their suicidal owner in eastern Ohio.
http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x97...xotics-lawsuit

The HSUS should be told to @#$@$off. The state should for once stand their ground and NOT be bullied by an extremist organization..

The "state" is supporting this as they have been paid off by HSUS. EVERYONE needs to support the Ohio Association of Animal Owners and Herplobby to fight this. The Governor's executive order is in direct retaliation to the lawsuit. This will also impact ALL herp keepers---including ball pythons. Lawsuits cost lots of money---especially one as high profile and high stakes as this one.