Ohio denies permits for sanctuary that had exotic animals

COLUMBUS (AP) — Tigers and other big cats seized from a sanctuary will remain in a holding facility after the state denied the owner’s latest bid for permits under Ohio’s law on dangerous wild animals.

Owner Kenny Hetrick sought to keep animals at the facility in Stony Ridge, south of Toledo, under a wildlife shelter permit and a dangerous wild animal rescue facility permit. The Ohio Department of Agriculture denied both requests Thursday after administrative hearings on the matter, according to department records.

The director’s orders said Hetrick submitted an incomplete application after the deadline, didn’t microchip all his animals as mandated and had facilities that didn’t meet legal requirements.

A hearing officer who reviewed the case and recommended the denial concluded that “Hetrick’s lengthy delay in applying for a permit, together with deficiencies in caging and care standards observed at the facility, showed a systematic lack of compliance and created a risk to his animals and the public,” according to one order.

Hetrick had objected, arguing that the state worked with other exotic-animal owners on compliance issues and that he was treated differently. He said he made improvements at the facility and tried unsuccessfully, with witnesses, to get help from the department in the permit process.