COLUMBUS, Ohio — A state senator and longtime farmer will be the new director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sihk) is appointing Republican Sen. David Daniels of Greenfield to the position. Daniels was expected to submit his Senate resignation Wednesday and begin his new role Thursday.

The position would give Daniels a key role in coordinating with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on possible new exotic animal regulations. He’ll also be among the agency directors advising Kasich on developing Ohio‘s oil and gas industry.

Daniels previously served as a state representative, county commissioner, city councilman and mayor. He was elected to the Senate in 2010.

He replaces Jim Zehringer, who was appointed last year as head of ODNR. The state veterinarian has acted as the interim agriculture director.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Sen. Troy Balderson says his bill to crack down on exotic animal ownership in Ohio is delayed.

The news comes after a governor-appointed task force recommended a complete ban on exotic animal ownership by 2014.

Balderson, who represents Zanesville, said he wants to make the rules less stringent, allowing current exotic animal owners to keep their pets.

“Does it take another death in Ohio to have something done? You and I both know what will happen if someone else is injured or killed by one of these animals that are still out there,” stated Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Balderson’s bill would immediately ban individuals from acquiring additional wild and dangerous animals who didn’t fall under one of the following categories:

Accredited Zoos (under the standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America)

Private Shelters (current owners who meet the new standards to be developed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture)

Sanctuaries

Research facilities

Circuses

The Columbus zoo has been caring for the remaining Zanesville animals. They say the longer Ohio goes with stricter laws, the public and animals are at risk.

“It’s a very touchy subject when we talk about legislation making sure we are sensitive to personal property, but also looking at the case of dangerous animals next to a neighbor,” said Chief Operating Officer Tom Stalf.

Hanna said exotic animal supporters often approach him about the number of jobs that will be lost if a complete ban happens.

“Think about six or seven young people losing their lives to these animals. Is that affecting you more than 65 people losing their job? I would hope it would,” Hanna said

Wednesday February 8, 2012 6:58 AM UPDATED:

Wednesday February 8, 2012 7:00 AM

An Ohio lawmaker’s proposal to regulate exotic animals in the state is not ready for introduction this week.

Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson of Zanesville sent a letter to fellow senators last week, asking them to support his bill. He planned to introduce it Tuesday.

But Balderson told The Associated Press on Tuesday that parts of the legislation are still being drafted. He said legislating on a “knee-jerk reaction” is unwise, and that he does not want to introduce an unpolished bill.

Efforts to strengthen the state’s law took on new urgency in October when authorities were forced to kill 48 wild animals – including endangered Bengal tigers – after their owner freed them from his Zanesville farm and committed suicide.

There is no new timetable for the bill.

6:05 pm, February 7, 2012, by Melissa Reid

An Ohio lawmaker says his proposal to regulate exotic animals in the state is not ready to be introduced this week.

Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson of Zanesville sent a letter to fellow senators last week, asking them to sign on to his bill. He had planned to introduce it Tuesday and hold hearings this week.

But Balderson tells The Associated Press on Tuesday that parts of the legislation are still being worked on. He couldn’t say when the bill would be introduced or when hearings would be scheduled.

Efforts to strengthen the state’s law took on new urgency in October when authorities were forced to kill 48 wild animals – including endangered Bengal tigers – after their owner freed them from his Zanesville farm and then committed suicide.

TROY BALDERSON

STATE SENATOR

20TH DISTRICT

COMMITTEES:

Agriculture & Natural Resources………….Member

Energy & Public Utilities…………..Vice-Chairman

Health, Human Services & Aging…………Member

Highways & Transportation…………………Member

INTERNAL MEMORANDUM

TO: All Senators

FROM: Senator Troy Balderson

DATE: February 3, 2012

SUBJECT: Co-Sponsor Request

I will soon be introducing legislation to regulate the ownership of certain wild and dangerous animals in Ohio.

Currently, Ohio has no regulations pertaining to the ownership of dangerous, wild animals. While the United States Department of Agriculture issues a license for these types of (primarily) non-native, dangerous species, that license is only issued if the owner intends to breed or exhibit the animal(s).

In short, if you own the animal only as a pet, then there is no required license in Ohio.

In addition, if a USDA license is revoked (example: for non-compliance), then most likely, the owner will simply revert to being a private owner with no further consequences. For example, Terry Thompson (who released the animals in Zanesville), was once in possession of a USDA license to exhibit and breed dangerous, wild animals.

However, when that license was revoked for violations, his animals simply became reclassified as pets.

In recognizing this dangerous hole in our regulatory system, it is absolutely imperative that we develop legislation that would carefully regulate the ownership of these animals.

For the safety of our citizens and the animals, our regulations must ensure that the horror inflicted on my neighbors and constituents in Zanesville never happens in Ohio again. In addition, Ohio now has the opportunity to show leadership on this issue by developing carefully-planned legislation to address this problem.

This legislation is designed to be a common-sense initiative that will keep the public and our animals safe. The legislation would immediately ban individuals from acquiring additional wild and dangerous animals. Under this bill, the existing ownership of large carnivores (Lions, Tigers, and Bears), other large animals such as Elephants and Hippopotamuses, and certain dangerous reptiles such as Komodo Dragons and Crocodiles would be banned on January 1, 2014 except under limited conditions:

 Accredited Zoos (under the standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America)

 Private Shelters (current owners who meet the new standards to be developed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture)

 Sanctuaries

 Research facilities

 Circuses

In addition, this bill would also ban the public (except the facilities above) from purchasing non-human primates. However, individuals who currently own (certain) nonhuman primates would be permitted to retain their animal(s) so long as they could meet the safety, caging, and care standards outlined in the bill.

Lastly, this bill will put into place some basic standards, primarily based on the recommendations of the Zoological Association of America, to regulate the breeding, ownership, and sale of constricting and venomous snakes while also ensuring that the public is safe and the animals are cared for properly. This portion of the bill to maintain, breed and acquire new snakes.

Over the course of the last few months, my staff and I have held countless meetings with animal owners and advocates as well as those concerned with animal rights. While there are legitimate, law-abiding citizens that care for their animals in a responsible way, it is clear that action is needed to prevent future tragedies from occurring in our state. My desire in drafting this legislation is to find a proper and legal balance between allowing our citizens to retain their personal property and fulfilling our obligation to protect our citizens from undue danger.

I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.

The widow of Terry Thompson who released dozens of exotic animals that were killed by Sheriff’s Deputies is threatening to take legal action as she fights for custody of the five surviving creatures.