Ohio could spend $3.5M on animal facility

COLUMBUS (AP) — The state of Ohio wants to spend $3.5 million to build and operate a Department of Agriculture facility that would temporarily house exotic animals confiscated under a new law.

The state Controlling Board, which handles certain adjustments to the state budget, will have to approve the Department of Agriculture’s request for the money in a meeting Sept. 10.

The amount was reported today in a meeting agenda released by the Ohio Office of Budget and Management. The request includes $2.93 million for construction of the facility, which will be built on the agriculture department’s campus in a rural area east of Columbus.

The move comes as the state prepares to crack down on owners of exotic animals.