Senate Bill 310 regulates the sale and ownership of exotic animals in Ohio

Siberian Tiger Painting by talented artist Jason Morgan

“Tiger Paintings – Wildlife Art – Origninals and Prints“

Columbus, Ohio  Sep 22, 2012

Signed by Gov. John Kasich, the law, which takes effect in 90 days, bans the acquisition, sale and breeding of restricted species in Ohio as of Jan. 1, 2014.

The mandatory registration of banned species by current owners of banned animals will begin when the bill takes effect.

People who currently own restricted list (banned) animals can keep their animals as long as the animals live, if they register them with the state and follow regulations on caging, signage and care.

On the restricted (banned) list are large cats, bears, elephants, certain monkeys, rhinos, alligators, crocodiles, anacondas and pythons longer than 12 feet, certain vipers and venomous snakes.

There are several classifications of permits, including “wildlife shelter,” which will cost $250 to $1,000, depending on the number of animals. Owners must also buy liability insurance or a surety bond of $200,000 to $1 million.

Ohio has been one of seven states that have no restrictions on private ownership of exotic animals.  The law will ban new ownership of specific wild animals, including big cats, bears, hyenas, gray wolves, some primates, alligators and crocodiles. People who already own these animals can keep them as long as they obtain permits and follow other rules.
.