Governor To Sign Exotic Animal Bill Tuesday

Ohio’s new regulations on exotic animals are scheduled to be signed into law on Tuesday.  Governor John Kasich’s office says he plans to sign the legislation at a Statehouse ceremony.  Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz is slated to be at the signing, along with State Senator Troy Balderson, State Representative Brian Hill and celebrity Zookeeper Jack Hanna and other officials.  Regulatory efforts took on new urgency in October when suicidal animal owner Terry Thompson released dozens of exotic animals from his Kopchak Road farm in Muskingum County.  The measure, which takes effect in three months, would ban people from buying new dangerous exotic animals.  Current owners could keep their creatures by registering their animals with the State 60 days after the bill takes effect, obtaining a new state-issued permit by 2014 and showing they can adhere to strict new standards.