EXECUTIVE ORDER ON DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS - Oct. 21, 2011

Existing, Underused Legal Powers Tapped While Longer-Term Legal Solution Finalized.

In response to the recent tragedy in Muskingum County involving dangerous wild animals, Gov. John R. Kasich issued an Executive Order instructing state agencies to use existing but underused legal powers in innovative ways to address threats to animal welfare and public health and safety, as well as better support the enforcement efforts of local officials.

Download the Fact Sheet (pdf)

Most of these species, though not all, are animals not native to Ohio and include large cats such as lions and tigers, large primates, bears, large constricting snakes, and venomous snakes.

Three (3) separate forms will be available to send in your comments and concerns. There will be (1) a form for general comments and feedback, (2) a form for reporting suspected cases of wild animal abuse or neglect and (3) a form for reporting the known locations of dangerous wild animals.

To assist local law enforcement agencies, veterinarians, county humane societies, and other stakeholders identify potential problem locations where dangerous wild animals are kept so that the appropriate authorities can ensure all existing laws and regulations are being followed and enforced.

This is not the place to submit concerns or complaints about pet neglect. To ensure a timely response to legitimate pet or other animal neglect situations outside the scope of dangerous wild animals, please contact your local humane society or law enforcement agency.

Dangerous Wild Animals Work Group

A work group consisting of 10 diverse stakeholder organizations has begun meeting on a monthly basis to consider how to regulate species deemed to be dangerous wild animals in Ohio.

The work group is focused on developing a framework for legislative consideration that would include identifying what constitutes a dangerous wild animal, common sense regulations that ensure public safety, and an enforceable process that does not overburden state resources. The goal is to complete work by late fall.

The meetings are not open to the public, but a summary of each meeting is available on this page.

Background

The Department of Natural Resources announced on April 4, 2011 that key stakeholders from across the state would be involved in the development of policies and procedures regarding ownership, sale and transfer of dangerous wild animals in the state of Ohio.

Outreach to stakeholders is taking place at the request of Governor John R. Kasich who supports the regulation of dangerous wild animals to ensure the public’s safety and animals’ humane treatment.  He also believes any new regulations should be developed in a transparent way with input from the public and those who have interests at stake.

The Kasich administration initiated this process because of the April 6 expiration of the previous administration’s Executive Order 2010-17S and Emergency Administrative rule 1501:31-19-5, banning the "possession, sale, and transfer."