Ohio to begin crackdown on exotic animal ownership

COLUMBUS (AP) — Owners of exotic animals in Ohio must soon start registering their creatures with the state once a new law takes effect Wednesday.

The state’s restrictions on exotic pets have been among the nation’s weakest.

Efforts to strengthen the law took on new urgency after owner Terry Thompson released 50 animals, including black bears, mountain lions and Bengal tigers, from his eastern Ohio farm in Zanesville last October, then committed suicide.

Authorities killed 48 of the animals as a public safety measure. Two others were believed to have been eaten by other animals.