Almost six months after a Zanesville man released dozens of lions, tigers, and other wild animals from his farm, Ohio is on its way to regulating such animals.
In October, Ohio made headlines when a Zanesville man released lions, Bengal tigers, monkeys, leopards, and other wild animals from his farm before killing himself.
Five months later, the Ohio Department of Agriculture announced Monday that five animals — two leopards, two primates and a bear — will be returned to the widow of Terry Thompson, who released almost 50 animals before committing suicide.
Ohio remains one of a handful of states with little regulation of such animals, but Senate Bill 310, sponsored by Sen. Troy Balderson, R-20th, will place new restrictions on the ownership of dangerous and wild animals.
Under the law, acquisition of non-human primates and large carnivores such as lions, tigers, and bears will be limited to prospective owners who are either an accredited sanctuary or recognized as a safe and useful facility by a larger association of zoo professionals.
The bill passed last week with a 30-1 vote in the Ohio Senate and is awaiting Gov. John Kasich’s signature.
Muskingum County Sheriff Matthew Lutz, who oversaw the roundup of the escaped Zanesville animals, said it was high time for exotic-animal legislation at the state level.
“We didn’t have any kind of law to prevent Mr. Thompson from having 56 animals,” he said. “Balderson has done a good job looking out for small businesses and for people who do it the right way, and I don’t have any problem with that.”
Though there are provisions in the bill to allow for current owners to keep their animals, some owners do not know how the legislation will affect their plans and animals.
Jim Galvin started Midwest Big Cat Care in 2010 and now has four tigers in his New Marshfield, Ohio, preserve.
“(SB 310) forces me to put everything on hold,” Galvin said, “I have to figure out what to do now.”
Galvin had planned to set up a big cat sanctuary, but now that tiger and clientele availability stands to be severely limited, he does not think planned obsolescence is the best business model.
“There has been no or poor regulation for years,” Galvin said. “Nothing can get done in a democracy without a crisis or an incident, and then the pendulum swings too far the other way.”
Bad owners should not be allowed to own potentially dangerous animals, Galvin said, but zoos might not be able to accept confiscated animals and they should never be euthanized.
Balderson said the bill was not meant to abolish exotic-animal ownership but be a way for responsible owners to move forward from the Zanesville incident.
“This issue has drawn a great amount of passion from all sides, but I have remained firm in my goal to find a proper balance that ensures public safety while also preserving the personal property of current, responsible animal owners,” Balderson said in a news release.
Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-92nd, who submitted similar ideas to the Ohio House after the Zanesville incident, said she supports Balderson’s bill but questions certain aspects including higher payments and stricter permits.
“Right now, the bill allows for holders of rescue permits to acquire new animals from out of state,” Phillips said. “While I understand the need for that and the implication there, I also see the potentiality of a big loophole.”
The rescue permit needs to be done carefully to prevent the loophole, Phillips said.
“I think most people see the need for legislation,” Phillips said, “Some cases of ownership are just not safe. I look forward to working with Sen. Balderson on this.”
Mike Stapleton, owner of Paws and Claws Animal Sanctuary north of Columbus, said he is opposed to the legislation and any attempt to take animals, which he calls property.
Though some regulation is acceptable, Stapleton said the bill acts as a ban and that he and other owners will fight it.
“One guy down in Zanesville messes up, and they throw us all into one category,” Stapleton said. “I’m not giving up my animals, and I’m not gonna let anyone kill them.”
sm366909@ohiou.edu
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.
