Ohio Senate passes exotic animal bill
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Senate has signed off on legislation that would restrict the private ownership of dangerous, wild animals and require permits, inspections and care and confinement standards for existing owners.
The 30-1 vote today came with little debate and was in contrast to hearings before the chamber’s agriculture committee, where hundreds of people over several weeks sported “No on SB 310” buttons and testified against the bill.
Sen. Troy Balderson, a Republican from Zanesville and the bill’s primary sponsor, said those committee sessions helped shape the bill into the version that was approved.
“As we have heard testimony and listened to recommendations on this bill, we have worked tirelessly to find ways to improve it,” Balderson said. “We have gone through 16 different drafts of bills, adding two substitute bills and inserting five individual amendments.”
Senate Bill 310 next heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.
The legislation was introduced months after Balderson’s hometown was thrust into the international spotlight after an incident in which sheriff’s deputies were forced to kill dozens of tigers, bears, lions and other animals let loose by their suicidal owner.
For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com