Girard re-examining law on exotic animals

Officials also will be
reviewing regulations
governing farm animals.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

GIRARD — Officials are checking to see if there is just a little too much monkey business going on in the city.

Jerry Lambert, safety service director, said city officials are planning to meet to discuss the city’s current regulations governing exotic animals. He said no date has been set for that meeting.

Jim Dobson, city health commissioner, said the proposed meeting comes on the heels of complaints from members of the community about residents who own monkeys — and monkeys hanging around a business.

“We have been getting complaints about people having monkeys here in the city,” he said. “We have a couple at a tattoo parlor and some private homeowners that have them, too. These animals can carry some diseases, so we are just researching the issue and trying to determine what to do about it now.”

According to Dobson, Pleasures of the Flesh tattoo shop on State Street has two monkeys caged in the lobby of the business. He said a woman became concerned about the presence of the monkeys in the business when a family member went to get a tattoo.

Owners of the business, however, may not be violating any laws by having the monkeys.

Dobson said the city’s current ordinance on exotic animals bans constricting and poisonous snakes, farm animals raised for consumption and rats. Monkeys are not listed, so the business owners are not in violation of any city ordinances.

Also, the state says animals must be kept out of the area of actual tattooing. The monkeys in the tattoo shop are kept in the lobby, Dobson said.

Owners of the tattoo business did not return calls seeking comment, but they are not alone in keeping monkeys as pets.

Dobson said there are at least two homes with monkeys as pets in the city.

He said one resident called to defend keeping the animals shortly after city officials began looking into the matter.

Dobson said city officials are not focused just on monkeys. He said the city’s ordinance makes mention of farm animals, but some residents have pigs, sheep and chickens.

The city will be looking to clarify the ordinance in general, he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com