Ohio has new hotline, website to report dangerous animals

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio has new places for people to report problems with dangerous wild animals.

The state Department of Natural Resources has launched a new toll-free hotline, 855-DWA-OHIO, and website, dangerouswildanimals.ohio.gov, for reporting suspected abuse or neglect of exotic, dangerous animals.

The new resources announced Monday were set up as part of the temporary measures Gov. John Kasich ordered last month after a private owner set free dozens of animals and then killed himself. Police were forced to kill most of the beasts, including lions, bears and 18 endangered Bengal tigers.

A study panel is working on new, permanent rules for governing private ownership of exotic wild animals in the state.

Ohio's new hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time.