Expert Jack Hanna urges tough Ohio rules for exotic animals

COLUMBUS (AP) — Jack Hanna has urged a state panel to draw up strict rules for owning exotic animals in Ohio, where a man set loose more than 50 animals last week and then killed himself.

TV personality Hanna, the former Columbus Zoo director, says he told a working committee during its closed-door meeting on Monday that Ohio must make sure that what just happened never happens again.

Police killed dozens of the released animals while schools closed and motorists were warned to stay in their vehicles.

Hanna told The Columbus Dispatch that his message was: “No more lions and tigers and bears as pets.”

Gov. John Kasich on Friday ordered a temporary crackdown on private ownership of exotic wild animals. The study committee has until Nov. 30 to draft permanent legislation.