Ohio exotic-animal law OK’d by judge

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A federal judge upheld Ohio’s new restrictions on exotic animals on Thursday after several owners sued the state over the law.

The measure was enacted after a Zanesville man last year released dozens of his wild animals and then committed suicide. Authorities killed 48 of the animals, including black bears, Bengal tigers and African lions, fearing for the public’s safety.

U.S. District Court Judge George Smith in Columbus sided with the state, saying the court recognizes some businesses may be negatively affected and some owners may not be able to keep their beloved animals but the owners failed to prove constitutional rights were violated.

The court said the case came down to the public interest and protecting the public from potential dangers of exotic animals.

“While the named Plaintiffs may be responsible dangerous wild animal owners, there are some that are not,” the ruling said.

Ohio officials have defended the law as a common-sense measure to address the growing safety problem of private ownership of exotic animals.

The state “felt all along like this law was in the best interest of the public and public safety, and in the health and the welfare of these animals, and the judge reaffirmed that,” Ohio Department of Agriculture spokesman Erica Hawkins said.

The seven owners who sued the state were disappointed by the decision and plan to appeal, said their attorney, Robert Owens.