Ban the Ownership of Wild Animals in Ohio
Animal Welfare, Petitions — By Kelly Hamilton on October 19, 2011 10:00 amTarget: John R. Kasich, Governor of Ohio
Goal: Banning the Sale and Ownership of Wild Animals
Dozens of wild animal were let loose to roam the streets of Zanesville, Ohio, after the owner of a wild animal preserve cut their cages and shot himself Tuesday night. Among the estimated 52 animals that escaped were lions, tigers, wolves, cheetahs, giraffes, camels, bears, and monkeys.
While authorities have done their best to control the animals using tranquilizer darts, many of the larger animals were described as “mature, very large, and aggressive,” and had to be killed on spot.
Schools remained locked down and residents were cautioned to stay inside their homes with their doors locked until the animals were all accounted for. With this event, the issue of regulating wild and exotic animals has now resurfaced with many urging state leaders to put a ban on owning these animals.
According to reports, while the state requires permits for bears, it does not control the ownership of animals that are not native—like the lions and tigers, for example. Wayne Pacelle, CEO and president of the Humane Society, expresses his disgust for the incident and for the lack of legislation stating, “In recent years, Ohioans have died and suffered injuries because the state hasn’t stopped private citizens from keeping dangerous wild animals as pets or as roadside attractions. Owners of large, exotic animals are a menace to society, and it’s time for the delaying on the rulemaking to end.”
Many are now working to make sure laws are passed to prevent such an event from happening again.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Kasich,
In light of the recent events in which dozens of wild animals were released (and subsequently shot) on the streets of Zanesville, it comes to attention, once again, the need for regulation over the ownership of these types of animals.
While many citizens were locked in their homes throughout the night, the question arises whether or not this all could have been prevented.
By restricting the sale of wild animals like tigers, cheetahs, and mountain lions, the state would restrict the possibility of an event like this ever happening.
Without the proper regulation, many animals are now dead and many citizens afraid to leave their homes. With the proper government intervention, both animals and Ohioans will be protected.
Sincerely,
[Your name will go here]
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9 Comments
We all belong to mother earth not anyone…
What a tragedy for these animals that most of them had to be killed! Private ownership of exotic animals needs to be banned in Ohio and in all states! It is what fuels the exotic pet trade and these animals usually end up mistreated, living in small cages, abused, and also it is leading to the decline in numbers of animals who are already endangered! Many of these animals end up being shot in canned hunts too! I wouldn’t doubt that this man was using these animals for such a sordid purpose!
The private ownership of exotic animals should be banned in ALL states, not only in Ohio :/
This tragedy that happened in Ohio was a nightmare. Beautiful animals thatdid not ask for this. There needs to be a ban put on the ownership of all exotic animals.
this is a tragedy,the death of all these animals, in a town named after my ancestors brother, Ebenezer Zane. this practice of collecting exotic pets (especially dangerous ones that must be caged) should be prohibited by law.
No wild animal should be taken from it’s natural habitat, no animal domestic or wild should be caged.
This is disheartening. Wild animals should never be captured or slaughtered. We should never try to keep them in cages, depriving them of any contorl over what may happen to them.
Signed
No animal domestic or wild should be caged.
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