I have lived in Ohio my whole entire life. As I have stated before I am a proud Cleveland Browns fan.
I am for the most part, proud to be an Ohio resident. Recently however, my proudness has dwindled.
I am for the most part, proud to be an Ohio resident. Recently however, my proudness has dwindled.
Most of you have heard about the tragedy that happened earlier in the week in Zanesville, Ohio, where Terry Thompson, an owner of a private zoo that housed at least 56 wild animals, alledgy committed sucide, but not before setting all of the wild animals free. 49 of those animals had to be killed, including 18 endangered Bengal tigers. Only six animals were sucessfully tranquilized, 3 leopards, 2 monkeys, and a grizzly bear, which are all now being treated at the The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Regardless of the why the man did it or his past, this should never be an image that Ohio motorists should see while driving down I-70.
The man should never have been allowed to own exotic animals.
No one should be allowed to own exotic animals.
So why is this the second time in just a few months that I have heard about exotic animals in Ohio?
Well… because Ohio has some of the weakest laws around for owning exotic and wild animals.
(photo courtesy of Chron.com)
A ban on owning exotics expired in April and Gov John Kasich didn’t see the need to renew it right now.
Nice job Kasich.
I’m sorry. No….. I’m not sorry. I am not a fan of Kasich. He has been pissing me off the last few months with his politics.
Now Kasich is doing his best to cover his ass. He is working on an emergency bill that will prevent this tragedy from happening again. What’s done is done in my book, you should of put this topic at the top of your “to do” list a long time ago. Maybe then a few more animals would still be alive.
While I know that most people are appalled that the animals were shot and killed, from what I have been reading the authorities had little choice but to do so. Several attempts were made to tranquilize many of the animals without success and lives were put in danger with nightfall fast approaching.
Jack Hanna, famous wildlife expert, explains the scene to ABC News here.
Regardless, it should not of been an issue if Ohio law did not allow ownership of wild and exotic animals.
Help me tell Kasich to ban the sale, ownership and harboring of wild and exotic animals in Ohio.
You also might like to know that a USDA report that was released in 2010 ranks Ohio SIXTH among the top 10 states with the largest number of commercial breeders, otherwise known as puppy mills.
There are “150 USDA ‘active’ licensed breeders in Ohio and more than 61% of these are in the heart of Amish County, where a HUGE number of dog auctions take place.”
(**Ohio law requires kennels register annually in their home counties.) But puppy mills can successfully navigate around these laws, either by selling directly to consumers (thereby avoiding USDA licensing requirements) or by simply avoiding the reach of law enforcement – with so few USDA inspectors and minor fines, it’s easy to stay in business.
(Photo courtesy of Ban Ohio Dog Auctions)
For more information on the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions you can go here
Last week Rachel from Rachel Lauren Photography traveled to Holmes county in Ohio to participate in a peaceful protest against puppy mills and dog auctions. Her photos from the event speak volumes.
