Judge dismisses case from Ohio pair trying to keep pet bear

MEDINA, Ohio (AP) — A judge has dismissed a civil case by a northeast Ohio couple who want to keep their toothless, 41-year-old black bear despite not getting a required state permit.

The court could have jurisdiction to consider an injunction if the animal were seized, but it can't appropriately address that yet because the state hasn't tried to remove the bear, a Medina County judge said in his ruling late last week. The dismissal would allow for the couple to file the complaint again if the bear were seized.

Jeffrey and Debra Gillium of Lodi have argued the caged male bear, Archie, is old and unlikely to escape. They said they weren't adequately notified about the law and that moving or tranquilizing the bear would threaten his life.

Their attorney says he remains hopeful about reaching a compromise for the Gilliums to keep Archie.

"This is an isolated bear, and he's been around a long time," attorney John Oberholtzer told the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "Is anybody at any great disadvantage if he's allowed to be there until he passes away?"

The Ohio Department of Agriculture says the Gilliums' permit application was submitted in February, more than a year after the state deadline, and the bear wasn't registered and microchipped as required.