Speaking Wednesday, Ohio Republican governor John Kasich responded to the killing of dozens of exotic animals in the state, saying state lawmakers should consider tougher laws.
Mr. Kasich said Wednesday during a meeting of Dix Communications editors: “Clearly, we need tougher laws. We haven’t had them in this state. Nobody’s dealt with this, and we will. And we’ll deal with it in a comprehensive way.”
Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said Wednesday the governor had called on Ohio officials to commend their reaction to the incident, adding that those involved with killing the animals should be part of the process of toughening current state laws.
The Ohio Republican’s comments follow a tense debate over how to address the release of dozens of exotic animals late Tuesday. Ohio sheriff’s deputies shot 48 animals — including 18 rare Bengal tigers and 17 lions — after Terry Thompson, owner of the private Muskingum County Animal Farm near Zanesville, Ohio, released the animals and then committed suicide.
Officers armed with high-powered rifles and shoot-to-kill orders spent much of the past twenty-four hours hunting for the animals. Meanwhile, six animals were taken to the Columbus Zoo. Killed were two wolves; six black bears; two grizzly bears; nine male lions; eight lionesses; one baboon; three mountain lions; and 18 Bengal tigers.
The incident has created a debate over Ohio state laws concerning the holding of exotic animals. The state currently has one of the nation’s more lax laws when it comes to private owners maintaining and keeping exotic animals. Currently, Ohio state law states owners have no obligations to fence their properties and there is no inspection regime to make sure the animals receive proper care.
The owner of the farm that housed the exotic animals had been convicted of animal cruelty in 2005, and an order issued by former Ohio governor Ted Strickland in January prohibited people convicted of animal cruelty from owning exotic animals. Mr. Kasich has received criticism in recent days for not actively enforcing the law.
