Lions, tigers and bears? Not in my backyard!(TRENDS & TRANSITIONS) (Brief article)

• Author: Griffin, Jon

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Officers killed 50 exotic animals released by their owner in Zanesville, Ohio, in October 2011. The bizarre story captivated the public's attention and prompted state legislators to take another look at their wild animal laws. Twelve states Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia--have introduced legislation this session addressing the possession of exotic or wild animals.

Ohio lawmakers passed a bill that prohibits any new sales of "dangerous wild animals," including lions, tigers, bears, certain primates and other big cats, as well as "restricted snakes," which include pythons, anacondas and various poisonous snakes. The new law makes Ohio the 30th state to ban or partially ban the ownership of exotic animals.

As for those who already own an exotic animal, Ohio now requires them to register their animals--which includes having them...