Akron Beacon Journal...
Wild and still dangerous
May 1, 2012 

The state having exhausted what little power it has to police exotic animals, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is expected to soon release the five surviving creatures from a tragic incident last fall near Zanesville. Owner Terry Thompson released 56 animals, then committed suicide. His wife will gain control of two leopards, two primates and a bear. The other animals were shot quickly by law enforcement officers. 

The surviving animals have been quarantined at the Columbus Zoo, but tests now show they are free from diseases. So they will be returned to Thompson’s widow, Marian Thompson, after logistics are arranged, sad commentary on the slow pace of the legislature’s response to the long-recognized dangers of allowing private individuals to own potentially dangerous animals as pets. 

It has been two years since an agreement on animal welfare was reached among the Humane Society, advocates for humane farms, Gov. Ted Strickland’s office and livestock groups. Part of the agreement was a ban on the acquisition of dangerous exotic animals such as bears, lions, primates and large constricting and venomous snakes. 

Recently, a bill on dangerous and wild animals cleared the Senate. It awaits action by the House, which should look closely at tightening regulations that still would permit private ownership of exotic animals, with a complete exemption for boa constrictors and an exemption for other constricting snakes, if less than 12 feet long. Future acquisitions of exotic animals would be stopped. 

Private owners are lobbying to kill the bill. Ideally, legislators would adopt an outright ban, as preferred by experts, with exemptions only for zoos, approved sanctuaries and circuses. 

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