Kasich pushes animal reform

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Gov. John Kasich on Friday proposed temporary measures to crack down on private ownership of exotic wild animals while tougher laws are drafted this fall.

He also said that a Northeast Ohio auction house long known as a source for animals including bear and tiger cubs is continuing a self-imposed ban.

The moves come after dozens of lions, bears and tigers were shot to death by police in Zanesville after their owner freed them Tuesday and then killed himself.

The owner, Terry Thompson, released the animals weeks after he got out of prison on federal weapons charges and while facing financial problems and troubles managing his animal farm.

The state will work with health departments and humane societies to better enforce existing laws, try to temporarily halt other auction sales and shut down unlicensed auctions under Kasich’s executive order.

Ohio also will review existing permits it issues to people who own wild animals native to the state, such as black bears. Thompson had four black-bear permits.

Kasich said the state will work with zoos to see which could accept confiscated animals and will try to help any that take them.

The Republican governor, who let a tougher order signed by his Democratic predecessor expire in the spring, defended the approach. He said a committee has put drafting new laws on a fast track for the end of next month.

“Governors can’t just invent laws,” Kasich said. “I really wish I could have the power just to enact any law I want, but we have a system of government that doesn’t do that.”