http://www.pijac.org/petinformation/breakingnews.asp

ARIZONA:  Citizens Subject To Seizure Of Pets Under New Bill

Date Posted: January 27, 2012 Last Modified: March 13, 2012

UPDATE: HB 2462 passed the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military & Government Affairs on March 12th and is currently on the Senate Calendar awaiting further action.

CALIFORNIA:  Action Needed Now In Chula Vista As City Council Is Set To Hear Broad Animal Ordinance On February 28th!

Date Posted: February 27, 2012 Last Modified: March 1, 2012

UPDATE: The Chula Vista, CA City Council unanimously adopted a wide-ranging ordinance, including a ban on the retail sale of dogs and cats, at its February 28th meeting.  With a strong showing from the herpetological community, language banning certain “wild animals” was stricken from the final language of the ordinance.

CONNECTICUT:  Bill To Repeal Pet Import Restrictions Set For March 7th Hearing

Date Posted: March 6, 2012 Last Modified: March 8, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 253 was heard before the Joint Environment Committee on March 7th.  The bill remains in committee awaiting further action.

FLORIDA:  Pasco County To Require Breeder Permits and Amend Other Animal Laws

Date Posted: January 6, 2012 Last Modified: February 8, 2012

UPDATE:  The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners was set to vote on proposed amendments to the county’s animal control ordinance on January 24th.  Among the amendments are proposed permit requirements on kennels, pet dealers and breeders.

HAWAII:  New Bill To Mandate Sterilization; Also Imposes Breeder Requirements

Date Posted: February 27, 2012 Last Modified: March 13, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 2494 passed the Senate with amendments on March 6th and has been assigned to both the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.  [Language prohibiting pet retailers from selling unsterilized cats and unsterilized dogs was removed from amended version.]

HAWAII:  Breeder Bill Bans Possession Of More Than 30 Dogs

Date Posted: February 9, 2012 Last Modified: March 15, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 2492 is set to be heard by the House Committee on Judiciary on March 22nd (Room, Time TBD).  The bill’s companion, HB 1737, died in the House Judiciary Committee on March 8th as it missed the Hawaii Legislature’s crossover deadline.

HAWAII:  First State Ever To Adopt Strict Liability Pet Warranty?

Date Posted: February 3, 2012 Last Modified: March 15, 2012

UPDATE:  Senate Bill 2490 died in the Senate Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection on March 8th as the bill missed the Hawaii Legislature’s crossover deadline.

HAWAII:  Bills To Ban Sale Of Unsterilized Dogs and Cats On Agenda

Date Posted: February 2, 2012 Last Modified: March 19, 2012

UPDATE: An amended version of Senate Bill 2504 passed the House Committee on Economic Revitilization & Business on March 13th and is on its 2nd Reading in the House.  Senate Bill 2198 died in Senate Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection on March 8th as it missed the Hawaii Legislature’s crossover deadline.

HAWAII:  Legislature Looks To Prohibit Sale Of Aquatic Life From State Waters For Aquarium Purposes

Date Posted: January 24, 2012 Last Modified: March 15, 2012

UPDATE:  HB 1780 and SB 2042 both died in their respective committees on March 8th as they missed the Hawaii Legislature’s crossover deadline.

ILLINOIS:  Bill Creates “Dangerous Animal Act”

Date Posted: February 6, 2012 Last Modified: March 11, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 3264 was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments from the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Conservation on March 9th.

ILLINOIS:  Bill Calls For Pet Shops To Charge Fee On Dog and Cat Sales To Benefit Animal Shelters

Date Posted: March 4, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: SB 1840 was heard before the Senate Agriculture & Conservation Committee on March 15, 2011.

ILLINOIS:  Bill To Criminalize Pet Ownership; Bans Having More Than 6 Pets

Date Posted: February 21, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: HB 1166 was heard before the House Committee on Agriculture & Conservation on March 8, 2011.

ILLINOIS:  Hearing Set for “Vicious” Dog & Tethering Legislation

Date Posted: February 18, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: HB 1080 would remove ban on ownership of specific breeds of dogs. HB 1247 would set new standards for outside tethering requirements for dog owners. Both bills were heard before the House Agriculture & Conservation Committee on March 15th and remain in committee awaiting further action.

IOWA:  Breeder Licensing Laws In Iowa To Be Amended

Date Posted: March 9, 2012 Last Modified: March 14, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 2301 passed the Senate with amendments and is currently in the House Committee on Agricuilture. SB 2290 is both on the Senate Calendar awaiting passage by the Senate.

MARYLAND:  Update!  Retail Pet Store Warranty Bill Amended – Hearing & Vote Set

Date Posted: February 17, 2012 Last Modified: March 19, 2012

UPDATE: SB 317 passed the Senate with amendments on March 13th.  The bill has now been assigned to the House Economic Matters Committee where it awaits further action.  Its companion, HB 131, will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee on March 27th (Room 3 East Miller, 1:00 p.m.).

MARYLAND:  State To Create Animal Abuse Registry

Date Posted: February 12, 2012 Last Modified: February 24, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 301 was heard before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 22nd.  The bill remains in committee awaiting further action.  Companion legislation (HB 1020) is set to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee awaiting on March 14th (Room 100, 1:00 p.m.).

MARYLAND:  Cecil County Animal Task Force Proposes Additional Pet Business and Ownership Requirements

Date Posted: November 10, 2011 Last Modified: February 3, 2012

UPDATE:  The Cecil County, MD Board of County Commissioners discussed changes to the county’s animal care laws at its January 31st meeting.

MICHIGAN:  Commercial Breeders Facing Limit Laws and Inspection Fees

Date Posted: January 25, 2012 Last Modified: January 26, 2012

UPDATE:  HB 5230 and HB 5231 have been assigned to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, which SB 891 and SB 892 have been sent to the Senate Committee on Agriculture.  None of these bills have been set for committee hearing yet.

MICHIGAN:  Pet Warranty Law Introduced In Michigan

Date Posted: August 30, 2011 Last Modified: September 23, 2011

UPDATE:  Senate Bill 574 imposes new pet warranty provisions on dog and cat sellers in Michigan.  The bill passed the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform with a substitute on September 22nd and is currently on its 2nd reading in the Senate.

MICHIGAN:  “Pit Bull Regulation and Prohibition Act”  Introduced in Michigan

Date Posted: June 8, 2011

UPDATE:  HB 4714 has been assigned to the House Regulatory Reform Committee where it awaits its first committee hearing.

MINNESOTA:  Numerous Bills Introduced Affecting Commercial Dog and Cat Breeders

Date Posted: February 28, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: HB 388 and HB 702 have been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development Policy, while HB 417 is in the House Committee on Health & Human Services Reform. SB 384 and SB 462 are in the Senate Agriculture & Rural Economies Committee.

MISSOURI:  House Bill To Establish Pet Appreciation Month

Date Posted: February 6, 2012 Last Modified: March 9, 2012

UPDATE:  House Bill 1404 was passed by the House on March 8th and currently awaits committee assignment in the Senate.

MISSOURI:  Proposed Ban on Retail Dog & Cat Sales Up For Possible Vote in St. Louis, MO!

Date Posted: September 15, 2011 Last Modified: March 8, 2012

UPDATE:  An ordinance that would ban the retail sale of dogs and cats in St. Louis, MO was put on the Informal Calendar by the Board of Aldermen at its September 16th meeting.  The measure could come back up for a vote at any time.

NEBRASKA:  State To Amend “Captive Wildlife Permit” Laws

Date Posted: January 11, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: LB 64 was heard before the Committee on Natural Resources on February 10, 2011.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:  Senate Bill Imposes Severe Breeder Restrictions

Date Posted: January 9, 2012 Last Modified: March 9, 2012

UPDATE:  Senate Bill 370 passed the Senate with an amendment and was sent to the House on February 15th.  The amendment struck all breeder language from the bill.  SB 370, in its current form, is set to be heard before the House Environment & Agriculture Committee on March 20th (Room 303 LOB, 11:00 a.m.).

NEW HAMPSHIRE:  Pet Vendors To Be Licensed

Date Posted: February 28, 2011 Last Modified: March 16, 2012

UPDATE: HB 325 will be heard by the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources on March 22nd (Room 102 LOB, 9:15 a.m.)

NEW JERSEY:  Brick Township Puts Pet Ban On Hold!

Date Posted: March 14, 2012

UPDATE: A proposed ordinance, banning the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores and kennels, was temporarily tabled by the Township Council at its March 13th meeting.  The measure was sent to a subcommittee (yet to be appointed) for further study.

NEW JERSEY:  Pet Sellers In New Jersey To Face Hefty Fines For “Overcrowding”

Date Posted: January 13, 2012

UPDATE: Assembly Bill 417 has been assigned to the Assembly Committee on Agriculture & Natural Reosurces where it awaits further action.

NEW YORK:  Ulster County Poised To Adopt Pet Store Mandate

Date Posted: November 23, 2011 Last Modified: March 8, 2012

UPDATE:   The Law Enforcement & Public Safety Committee met on March 6th to discuss a proposed animal abuse registry ordinance.  Proposal includes mandates and fines for pet stores.

NEW YORK:  New York Pet Dealer License Revocation Bill Amended

Date Posted: May 2, 2011 Last Modified: February 15, 2012

UPDATE: AB 77 passed the Assembly with an amendment on February 14th and is currently in the Senate Agriculture Committee awaiting further action.

NEW YORK:  New York Bill Restricting Bird Sales Passes Committee

Date Posted: March 25, 2011 Last Modified: January 28, 2012

UPDATE: AB 1767 passed the Assembly Codes Committee with an amendment on January 27th and was sent to the Assembly Agriculture Committee. Its companion, SB 1253, was amended in the Senate Agriculture Committee on May 11, 2011.

NEW YORK:  Radio Frequency I.D. Tag Legislation Could Affect Pet Stores

Date Posted: January 12, 2011 Last Modified: May 31, 2011

UPDATE: Companion bills AB 1033 and SB 1168 currently sit in the Committee on Consumer Affairs & Protection and the Commitee on Consumer Protection respectively. Neither bill has been set for hearing yet.

OHIO:  Certain Snakes Listed As “Restricted” In Ohio “Dangerous Wild Animal” Bill

Date Posted: March 13, 2012 Last Modified: March 19, 2012

UPDATE:  Senate Bill 310 is set to be heard by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources on March 21st (Finance Hearing Room, 2:30 p.m.).  Companion legislation (House Bill 483) was introduced on March 14th and currently sits in the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

OHIO:  “Dangerous Wild Animal” Hearing Postponed

Date Posted: February 8, 2012

PIJAC UPDATE: A hearing that was set for February 8th in the Ohio Senate Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources Committee, in which anticipated “dangerous wild animal” legislation was to be introduced, has been postponed.  No text to a bill has been introduced yet.  Legislators and Governor Kasich’s office are still working to draft a bill.  Check the PIJAC website regularly for updates!

OHIO:  Senate Committee To Hear Dog Law Legislation

Date Posted: November 14, 2011 Last Modified: March 8, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 130 passed the Senate with a substitute on February 1st and has been assigned to the House Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment Committee for further action.

OHIO:  Governor Implements Executive Order on “Dangerous Wild Animals”

Date Posted: October 24, 2011 Last Modified: November 10, 2011

UPDATE:  Ohio EO 24 was signed by Governor Kasich on October 21st.  HB 352, banning possession of all “dangerous exotic animals” was introduced on October 21st and has been assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources, where it awaits its first committee hearing.

OHIO:  Ohio To Target Kennel Owners For Felony Prosection

Date Posted: April 4, 2011 Last Modified: March 19, 2012

UPDATE: HB 108 will be heard by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources on March 21st (Finance Hearing Room, 2:30 p.m.).

OKLAHOMA:  Senate Adopts Commercial Pet Breeders Act

Date Posted: March 19, 2012

UPDATE:  Senate Bill 1919 was adopted by the Senate on March 12th and is currently awaiting committee assignment in the House.

OKLAHOMA:  Pet Breeders Board To Become Independent

Date Posted: February 8, 2012

UPDATE:  HB 2716 has been assigned to the House Agriculture, Wildlife & Environment Committee, while its companion, SB 1295 has been sent to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development.  Neither bill has been set for hearing yet.

OKLAHOMA:  Rule Amends Breeder Regulations In Oklahoma – Comment Deadline is January 17th

Date Posted: January 14, 2012

UPDATE:  Proposed amendments to regulations governing commercial pet breeders will be considered at a January 17th hearing of the Oklahoma Commercial Pet Breeder Board.  Comment deadline is also on January 17th.

OREGON:  Bill Would Allow “Humane Agents” To Enforce Animal Laws”

Date Posted: February 7, 2012 Last Modified: February 26, 2012

UPDATE:  HB 4021 passed the Senate on February 24th and has been sent to the Governor for signature.

PENNSYLVANIA:  Pennsylvania Considering New Tethering Standards

Date Posted: April 18, 2011 Last Modified: May 31, 2011

UPDATE: SB 972 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Rural Affairs where it awaits its first committee hearing.

PENNSYLVANIA:  Pet Warranty Legislation Introduced

Date Posted: January 20, 2011 Last Modified: June 3, 2011

UPDATE: SB 27 passed the Senate with an amendment on May 24th. The bill currently sits in the House Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee.

RHODE ISLAND:  Python and Boa Constrictor Ban Presented in Rhode Island

Date Posted: January 25, 2012 Last Modified: February 16, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 2033 was set aside for further study by the Senate Committee on Environment & Agriculture on February 15th.

RHODE ISLAND:  New Psittacine Bird Laws Introduced in Rhode Island

Date Posted: January 20, 2012 Last Modified: March 2, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 2031 passed the Senate on February 29h and is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.  Its companion, HB 7137, was set aside for further study by the House Judiciary Committee on February 14th.

RHODE ISLAND:  Outdoor Dog Owners Face Regulation

Date Posted: February 22, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: SB 140 was set aside for further study by the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Conservation on March 9, 2011. Its companion, HB 5690, passed the House with a substitute on June 30, 2011.

SOUTH CAROLINA:  “Exotic Animal and Reptile Control & Regulation Act” Being Considered

Date Posted: February 15, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 1204 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources where it awaits its first committee hearing.

SOUTH CAROLINA:  SPCA To Be Granted Police Powers

Date Posted: February 24, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: SB 200 was heard before the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources on May 10, 2011.  Bill remains in committee awaiting further action.

VERMONT:  Bill Creates Non-Economic Damages For Pets

Date Posted: February 1, 2012

UPDATE:  Senate Bill 240 is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee where it awaits its first committee hearing.

VERMONT:  Vermont Anti-Pet Legislation Set For Hearing

Date Posted: April 25, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: HB 340 currently sits in the House Committee on Agriculture.

VERMONT:  Non-Economic Damages For Loss Of A Pet Being Considered

Date Posted: March 11, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: Companion bills, HB 256 and SB 51, both sit in the Judiciary Committees of their respective chambers.

VERMONT:  Owning 5 Animals Could Mean “Animal Hoarding” in Vermont

Date Posted: March 10, 2011 Last Modified: January 4, 2012

UPDATE: HB 371 currently sits in the House Agriculture Committee.

VIRGINIA:  Wild Animal Bill On Senate Committee Agenda

Date Posted: February 8, 2012 Last Modified: February 10, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 477 was heard by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources on February 9th and carried over to the 2013 legislative session.

VIRGINIA:  Wild Animal Bill Carried Over To 2013

Date Posted: February 1, 2012 Last Modified: February 24, 2012

UPDATE:  House Bill 1242 has been deferred to the 2013 session by the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources.  Its companion, Senate Bill 477, was also deferred to the 2013 session by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources Committee.

WEST VIRGINIA:  Bill Would Raise Pet Food Permit Fees To Support Spay Neuter Assistance Fund

Date Posted: February 8, 2012 Last Modified: March 15, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 479 died in the House Finance Committee on March 10th as the West Virginia Legislature adjourned its 2012 session.

WEST VIRGINIA:  Bill Bans “Wild and Exotic” Animals

Date Posted: February 7, 2012 Last Modified: March 12, 2012

UPDATE:  SB 477 has been sent to the Governor for signature after the Senate concurred in the House’s amendments on March 10th.

WEST VIRGINIA:  Commercial Dog Breeders Facing Regulation…..Again

Date Posted: January 18, 2012 Last Modified: March 7, 2012

UPDATE:  HB 2883 died in the House Committee on Judiciary February 29th as it missed the crossover deadline to the Senate.

WEST VIRGINIA:  Dog Breeder Legislation Introduced in West Virginia…Again!

Date Posted: January 12, 2012 Last Modified: March 7, 2012

UPDATE:  HB 2015 died in the House Committee on Agriculture on February 29th as it missed the crossover deadline to the Senate.

WISCONSIN:  Dane County Board of Supervisors Committee To Discuss Exotic Animal Ban  on Feb. 28th

Date Posted: February 21, 2012 Last Modified: March 1, 2012

UPDATE: An amendment to the Dane County, WI Code, banning the sale and possession of exotic animals, was tabled for further research by both the Committee on Health & Human Needs (Feb. 28th)and the Committee on Environment, Agriculture & Natural Resources (Feb. 21st).

Click here to download PIJAC’s Call To Action flyer!

FEDERAL:  AWA Amendment Regulates Importation of Dogs

Date Posted: September 9, 2011 Last Modified: November 17, 2011

UPDATE:  The USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has published a proposed rule implementing dog import restrictions.  The Service accepted public comment until October 31, 2011.

U.S. CONGRESS:  ‘PUPS’ Bill Introduced Yet Again In U.S. House of Representatives

Date Posted: March 10, 2011 Last Modified: May 31, 2011

UPDATE: H.R. 835 currently sits in the House Committee on Agriculture awaiting its first committee hearing. S.707, companion to H.R. 835 has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry.

U.S. CONGRESS:  H.R. 511 Hearing Update!

Date Posted: February 27, 2012 Last Modified: March 1, 2012

UPDATE:  H.R. 511, prohibiting the importation of various injurious species of constrictor snakes, was ordered to be reported with amendments (not yet published) by the House Committee on Judiciary on February 28th.  Click here to read PIJAC’s original PetAlert on this legislation.

U.S. CONGRESS:  Florida’s Representative Rooney Proposes Large Constrictor Ban Under The Lacey Act

Date Posted: February 28, 2011 Last Modified: March 1, 2012

UPDATE: H.R. 511 was ordered to be reported with amendments (not yet published) by the House Committee on Judiciary on February 28th.

Posted:
Mar 19, 2012 3:37 PM EDT

Updated:
Mar 19, 2012 3:37 PM EDT

The Feline Conservation Federation (FCF) favors regulations for safe and humane exotic animal husbandry that allow present and future owners to be a part of captive conservation.

The AZA recommends Bengal tigers be managed to extincton in the association zoos.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 13, 2012

Ohio resident Terry Thompson released his menagerie of bears, lions, tigers, monkeys and pumas before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This tragedy has prompted calls by some for a complete ban on the private ownership of exotics. The Feline Conservation Federation (FCF) favors regulations for safe and humane exotic animal husbandry that allow present and future owners to be a part of captive conservation. Senator Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, is now considering a plan that phases in a ban.

FCF executive director Lynn Culver believes the hysteria created by the unique incident is fueled by animal rights organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Culver emphasizes many of the felines targeted by HSUS, and listed in Balderson’s draft bill, are wildcats no larger and no more dangerous than domestic dogs and cats, and should not be prohibited.

Recently, former Columbus Zoo director Jack Hanna, advocating for a total ban on private ownership of most wildlife species, asked the Ohio Newspaper trade group, “What’s it going to take, everyone, to pass a bill? Someone else getting killed?” The mayhem in Zanesville caused a tremendous loss of animal life, but no human loss, other than Thompson, who took his own life. Culver says, “The only member of the public ever killed by an escaped tiger was at the American Zoo Association (AZA) accredited, San Francisco Zoo.”

Culver is referring to the escape of Tatiana, a Siberian tiger that killed 17-year-old Carlos Sousa, and seriously injured two other zoo visitors. The following day, Hanna tried to calm the nation’s growing fear of wild animal exhibits, saying, “It’s much safer going to a zoo than getting in your car and going down the driveway.”

The death of Sousa at the San Francisco Zoo led animal rights activists to demand city council members convert their zoo into a strict “no breeding” wildlife sanctuary, but the idea was rejected. Culver says, “Hopefully Ohio will also reject this same animal rights agenda, and instead, develop reasonable regulations that permit responsible people to have exotic animals.”

Senator Balderson’s draft bill would exempt some zoos from animal registration and public safety requirements. Culver is concerned because zoos experience more animal escapes and more human injuries and deaths, than private owners.

Following the unprecedented Ohio disaster, Governor Kasich set up a hotline for citizens to report dangerous animals, and ordered wildlife officers and sheriffs departments to ferret out wild animals in their districts. FCF obtained the Ohio inventory, which revealed most wild felines live in federally inspected facilities. The report documented 55 big cats (lion, tiger, puma, leopard) owned by 14 people who, like Terry Thompson, were not regulated or inspected. Most individuals own just a single feline, but one person holds 23 big cats. The bobcat, a native species already regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), is the most common wild feline in Ohio, with 28 people owning 47 bobcats. Bobcats average twenty pounds and do not present a danger of causing human fatality.

Culver stresses the importance of protecting the private sector gene pools. She explains AZA accredited zoos are only allowed to keep certain species of animals by the accrediting association. Animals such as the African leopard, and Bengal tigers, which were shot at the Zanesville incident, are rarely, if ever found in AZA zoos today. It is up to private facilities to conserve them so future generations have opportunities to appreciate these magnificent animals.

Culver points out that renowned wildlife expert Jack Hanna began his career as a private owner of exotics, including lions and other big cats. “If Ohio enacts a ban on ownership like Hanna and the HSUS want, future generations of Buckeyes won’t have the opportunity that allowed Hanna to make his great contributions to wildlife conservation.”

FCF supports exotic animal regulations and opposes banning captive wildlife husbandry. The FCF is a non-profit association of feline owners, zoos, educational exhibitors, breeding centers and feline sanctuaries. FCF teaches basic feline husbandry and wildlife conservation educator courses through out the country. Culver says, “Responsible regulations have been developed in other states, such a neighboring Indiana, and by the Federal USDA Animal Welfare Act. We sincerely hope Ohio does the same, and does not take from its citizens the freedom to contribute to wildlife conservation. Close relationships with wildlife leads to a better understanding and appreciation of our planet’s wondrous animals.”

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=129_SB_310

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