Ohio exotic industry roaring over governor’s ban


WOOSTER, Ohio — The part-owner to one of Ohio’s only exotic animal auctions is trying to figure out how an executive order by exiting Gov. Ted Strickland will affect his business.

Thurman Mullet, who owns the Mount Hope Auction with his brother, Steve, was still learning about the order on Jan. 7, which ultimately bans ownership, sale and breeding of certain “dangerous wild animals.”

Strickland made the announcement Jan. 6, following a deal he brokered in late June with the animal rights organization Humane Society of the United States, and Ohio’s farm leaders, to prevent an animal care ballot initiative by HSUS.

Since the ban announcement, farmers, pet owners and consumers have been busy trying to figure out what it means, and how it may affect their own businesses.

Long history

The Mount Hope exotic sale, properly called the “Mid Ohio Alternative Animal and Bird Sale,” dates back to 1990 and has become a feature event, drawing a crowd from across Ohio and beyond.

The sale has a rule on dangerous animals — they must be no larger than 20 pounds — and the sale permits no venomous snakes. In the sale’s 20-year history, Mullet said he can’t think of any accidents.

But if Strickland’s order is upheld by the Kasich administration, it could be the end of sale for certain animals.

Among those banned — big cats, wolves, bears, non-human primates, large constricting and venomous snakes, and crocodilians.


The order authorizes ODNR to adopt a new rule that prevents new private ownership of wild animals that are dangerous to human health and safety. It also requires existing private owners of dangerous wild animals to register the animals with the state; and describes the type of facilities that can own and rehabilitate dangerous wild animals.

Mullet is studying the issue closer, to see what animals he can put into his next auction flyer. The sale is held three times a year.

“We’re not dependent on the dangerous animals and we don’t sell a lot of those,” he said.

But he’s concerned for those who do raise dangerous animals, and he questions what will be next. A bull can be dangerous, he said, but is an important part of animal agriculture.

“They (activists) won’t stop at just this,” he predicted. “Next would be certain primates; next, certain other animals.”


Exotic animal owners have expressed disappointment with the agreement between HSUS and Ohio’s agriculture leaders, saying they felt “thrown under the bus,” along the way.

The Ohio Association of Animal Owners called the governor’s order a power grab by the ODNR “to seize control of, and ultimately shut down Ohio’s exotic animal industry.”

“There is no exotic animal emergency in Ohio,” said Polly Britton, the organization’s legislative assistant, in a news release.

Britton said licensed animal owners, breeders and exhibitors have safely and securely kept these animals for many years and are subject to regular, unannounced government inspections to ensure no one or animal is at risk.

“This emergency order is fueled by animal rights extremism and scaremongering, and it is a direct attack on commerce and private enterprise in Ohio,” she said.

Serious incident

The HSUS’ leading call for the ban stems from an incident in August, when a bear mauled to death its caretaker, Brent Kandra, 24, at a Lorain County residence where exotic animals were kept.

Kandra’s mother, Deirdre Herbert, has spent the past several months calling for the ban, holding press conferences with HSUS and reminding the public of her loss.

“I believe that this valuable executive order will not only prevent other families from suffering the tragedy and loss as my family has experienced, but is also a humane act towards these majestic animals,” she said, in a release from HSUS.

The animal rights organization says “private citizens generally cannot provide the sophisticated care these animals require in captivity” and touted Strickland’s order as a major success.

“Dangerous wild animals do not belong in the backyards and basements of private citizens,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of HSUS. “It’s bad for the animals and dangerous for people. This emergency order is good for Ohio, and we look forward to seeing it implemented in the months ahead.”

More on the ban

Under the rule, the ownership, breeding, selling, trading, and bartering of dangerous wild animals is prohibited to anyone who does not currently own one of the designated animals.

Similarly, existing owners of wild dangerous animals cannot breed, sell, trade, or barter these types of animals.

Existing owners would be allowed to continue with their ownership if they register their animals by May 1, 2011, and every year thereafter.

Massillon mascot exempt

Accredited zoos, bona fide wildlife sanctuaries, and certain other facilities are exempt.

Also, subject to certain criteria, long-standing circuses and mascot programs, along with veterinary hospitals, research facilities, Department of Natural Resources-permitted native-wildlife rehabilitation facilities, law enforcement officers, and temporary transporters will also be allowed to continue to own these types of animals.

According to ODNR Director Sean Logan, who is also leaving office under the new Kasich administration, the rule will become effective immediately, but it is only effective for 90 days.

“We hope the incoming administration will see the value of this effort and take the necessary steps to implement a permanent rule that would ban the ownership of these species,” Logan added.

During those 90 day, ODNR will submit these rules to the state’s rule-making body, the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, for inclusion in Ohio’s Administrative Code.


Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox!

Previous articleVacation with us...Miller
Next articleTop 10 ways your car has changed in a decade


  1. No, HSUS was not inclined to push a ban because of the bear incident – Gov Strickland, Ohio Farm Bureau and HSUS had already made the back-room “deal” to ban exotics prior to the incident.

    • Is there any statistical evidence showing a need for a ban and causing many financial hardship? I’d like to compare livestock and horse-related deaths to the exotic animal industry and see if it’s merely occupational hazard in dealing with any animals or simply using exotics as a bargaining chip to save ag from fighting HSUS, for the moment. Of HSUS few listed Ohio incidents – I have one here from after the fact and four years later, still no issues. Accidents do happen, in any area of life, and you can’t legislate common sense. That leaves five incidences they claim since 2003 if you include the most recent bear-related one. Reason for a ban and financially harming many Ohio citizens?

  2. This ban is much needed and long overdue. Ohio was one of less than 10 states that did not regulate private ownership of dangerous wild animals. For most dangerous species, there were no statewide restrictions whatsoever. As a result, the animals often end up in untrained hands, posing a danger to people and to the welfare of the animals. The animals can attack, they can spread disease, and meeting their needs in captivity is extremely difficult.

    • Anne – your last sentence could insert “man” in place of “animal. Ban them too? It is opinion it is long overdue or needed – not fact or supported by anything you cannot apply to other daily risks commonly accepted. It also sounds like a teen-age attempt at “Well, everyone else did it.” No, Ohio didn’t crumble under HSUS threats and attempts to ban until now is all. Since you’re obviously against keeping exotics, how would you know the how most are kept by the many, many owners not in the news?

      • Amy, you tell Anne that in her last sentence, she “could insert ‘man’ in place of “animal. Ban them too?” Actually, yes…dangerous humans are usually “banned” when they are caught…that’s what jails and prisons are all about.

      • Guilty of what, and meant by whom precisely, Ellie? Many species of captive bred and born and/or domesticated species of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals now exist in innumerable color and/or pattern variations, strains, or cultivars that do not, nor have they ever, existed in the wild. Have you ever seen a leucistic Texas Ratsnake in the wild, or an albino Pie-bald ball python I might ask? How well do you believe these animals would survive? Therefore, “liberating” these animals, a concept in which you apparently seem so fond of, would spell a surefire death sentence for the animal in question since it will invariably stand out to predators, or likely cucummb to disease or starvation.

    • I agree Anne; the ban is much needed! In 2010, I was able to view the documentary The Elephant in the Living Room which depicts the dangers of owning exotic wild animals. I never knew Ohio had such a problem with this issue until I saw the film. There’s a guy in Dayton who gets stuck with all of these problem animals after the owners realize they can’t care for them anymore. Amy needs to see the movie.

      You need a license to own a chihuahua but nothing to own a lion?! ridiculous! I hope Kasick maintains the ban on the ownership of exotic pets in Ohio.

      • Governor John Kasich January 10, 2011
        Governor’s Office
        Riffe Center, 30th Floor
        77 South High Street
        Columbus, OH 43215-6108

        Dear John:

        First order of business, I extend warm congratulations in your newly elected position as governor. I voted for you.

        As an Ohio citizen and Crocodile Wildlife Conservationist, I strongly OPPOSE the ban on any type of exotic animals. Please do NOT allow Ted Strickland’s ban on exotics animals to become permanent law in Ohio.

        I have worked at both accredited AZA Zoo’s (American Zoological Association) and in the private sector. I am a member of the Crocodile Specialist Group and IUCN (World Conservation Commission).

        Currently in Ohio, I hold Federal USDI permits to propagate and enhance the captive population of several different endangered or critically endangered species of crocodiles and alligators; there are 24 types of crocodilians worldwide. There are two people in the country that possess this type of permit which also covers other species of reptiles for captive breeding such as Indian Pythons (Python molorus molorus). I work with zoos, educational institutions, and private individuals to preserve these rare species. I must stress by no means are these animals a threat to the public. We are working hard to conserve biodiversity.

        The ban on “exotics” would be a disaster for Ohio!


        Crocodile Wildlife Conservationist

    • Greetings Anne,

      Many statements, where is your evidence?

      This ban is much needed and long overdue.
      Why exactly?
      Yes it does, the USDA does which is on the Federal level.
      For most dangerous species, there were no statewide restrictions whatsoever.
      Check the USDA handbook.
      Who’s untrained hands? I would like examples and more information on this statement.
      The animals can attack, they can spread disease, How often has there been a death in Ohio from say a python, answer 0, now how many horses have killed people, more pythons in Ohio by at least tenfold. Who has gotten sick from exotic animals, what about getting sick from meat stored in the house. Can you list any documentation? What was the disease? When did this occur?
      and meeting their needs in captivity is extremely difficult.
      Hmm…what is your experience with this statement, I have 5 years zoo experince and 25 years experience breeding exotics, do you have any additional insight, it would be appreciated. This is not an attack on you, I am asking for clarification on your statements.


    • “The animals can attack, they can spread disease, and meeting their needs in captivity is extremely difficult.”

      This can be said for nearly every species of animal we maintain and propagate in captivity. Domesticated dogs can attack, and they can spread disease. Domestic house cats can also attack, and they can also spread disease. Humans can attack, and can spread disease. Do you see where I am going with this yet?

      One question I must ask Anne, is what working, hands on knowledge or experience do you have in the captive husbandry and propagation of exotic animals to reach such statements and determinant conclusions as “meeting their needs in captivity is extremely difficult?” How do you know this? That statement also, to me anyway, seems to be a rather broad and sweeping generalization that fails to account for many various factors. In other words, who determines what is universally “extremely difficult to care for”, I might ask?

    • Dogs can and do attack and even kill Should we ban them, Cats can spread disease. I do agree that some animals are not to be kept as pets by the average person. Most of the animals require permits or license. Some of them come from proper licensed breeders with vet checked animals. The problem comes from the people that deal with wild caught animals. There are sales in southern Ohio, around Dayton and other areas that will sale to anyone with or with out a license or to anyone of any age. I have seen bears that just fit in a large dog crate for st. bernard, chimps, several types of gators without toe tags and a lot of other animals for sale there.

      • Selling without a license is already illegal. To sell indigenous (native) animals you have to have a propagator’s permit through the ODNR, even to own one. Selling others requires a USDA license classified for selling. Check it out, get the facts. Already illegal is…uh, already illegal – use existing laws, enforce them – not bans.

  3. Amy needs to see a movie to know what she sees with her ow eyes, unedited, in real life? No, I think “the guy in Dayton” is the only one saying he gets stuck with all these so-called problems. Perhaps some research into the number of “problems” in his vicinity compared to the whole would give a clue as to how a wannabe Steve Irwin may get the craved media attention?

    Banning and regulating are to very distinctively different actions. Banning will displace many animals due to economic hardship. Perhaps a documentary on the economy of late would be a good choice for your viewing. America’s Face is not – simply a plug for a documentary glorifying one who is not a “savior” by any means in the animal world. Didn’t HSUS give the show an award? Hmmm

  4. It is patheticlly sad how many people feel they have the right to impose their beliefs on others. This is just another attack on our constitutional rights. If people want to own an exotic animal-that is THEIR business-NO ONE ELSES…Period. Yes, it is also THEIR responsibility to properly care for the animal, as well as making sure the animal is properly contained, but that can EASILY be regulated WITHOUT taking away their rights. A prime example of this is automobiles…more people are killed by them than ALL animals combined…yet they arent banned, just regulated. By the way, people are hands-down more apt to be killed by fellow human beings, domesticated animals-including pets, and wild animals than exotic animals kept. It would be much better for this country to start banning people that have the audacity to immpose their beliefs on others than banning our constitutional rights. And people wonder why this country is going to the dogs…

  5. Born Free is the primary animal welfare organization working on the exotic pet issue. According to their website, Ohio was one of only 9 states that had no rules at all regarding exotic animals. 20 states ban ownership all together, 9 ban ownership of some species, and 12 require owner registration. http://www.bornfreeusa.org/downloads/pdf/Map-Exotic-Animal-Laws.pdf. Having no laws at all has made Ohio the Wild West of the animal welfare trade, which is unsafe for people and cruel for animals.

    Born Free tracks incidents involving captive wild animals, listing 78 in Ohio. Born Free also did an investigation of conditions for exotic animals in private hands in the United States, with Ohio featured prominently. The findings were appalling. Animals were being kept in barren cages with no enrichment, their teeth and claws are pulled, and the owners allowed members of the public to have direct contact, posing serious safety concerns. http://www.bornfreeusa.org/downloads/pdf/Exotic_Pets_Report.pdf

    I have been to the exotic animal auction in Mt. Hope, and while I think it is a deplorable event, I do not think it will be greatly affected by the executive order, which applies only to big cats, bears, wolves, nonhuman primates, large constricting and venomous snakes and crocodilians. These make up a very small percentage of the animals sold at this auction.

    The executive order will not displace animals, as current owners are grandfathered in. They will just not be able to breed, buy or sell more animals. Also as the story points out, there are exceptions for accredited zoos and sanctuaries, veterinary hospitals, research centers, mascot programs, DNR rehab centers, law enforcement, and other legitimate facilities. Private breeders contracted with AZA zoos are also excepted.

    Tim Harrison, the Dayton police officer featured in The Elephant in the Living Room, is not a Steve Irwin wannabe. In fact, he says that when the wild animal TV shows of Irwin and others became prominent is when the problem of ownership of dangerous species became a real issue. People saw Steve Irwin wrestling a crocodile or lion, and they thought they could too. Few people have the training or facilities to keep such animals responsibly, and it’s past time for the law to take this into account.

    • And for a fee, Mr. Harrison will wisk you away to Africa so you can see the really wild animals up close without protection while making a name for himself. Wake up, that so called movie was paid for by HSUS, his organization is sponsored by HSUS and one really has to question how a 56 year old man has retired from three 20 year careers while traveling all over the world to become, as he states, an expert in wild animals. Ask yourself which of his 3 careers was put on hold while he traveled the world and ask if he is so fond of profiling animal owners, did he also profile people while he was a police officer?

    • CeCe – Born Free also lists AZA Zoo incidents, minor problems needing no more assistance than a dog or cow getting loose. What is next on the agenda? Dog ownership or zoos or milk cows? With all the name changes going on, I can’t remember if Born Free was TSMS/API or which name this year. Can you enlighten us as to who Born Free was in the past 8 years?

    • “Born Free tracks incidents involving captive wild animals, listing 78 in Ohio”

      I have seen the “database” of “incidents” maintained by BornFree (which by the way is not an animal welfare organization, but rather a radical ANIMAL RIGHTS group that promotes strict veganism on their website). I must ask in response to this statement, of those 78 occurances that BornFree very loosely considers and defines as “incidents”, and which supposedly are claimed to have occured in Ohio, how many of these “incidents” actually resulted in, or involved human injury or death in any way? To me, the fact that the Animal Rights group BornFree apparently sees the need to heavily supplement their database of “incidents” with each and every such trivial and anecdotal report of minor escapes, newsclippings, and animal confiscations even remotely involving exotic animals as “incidents” is quite indicative of the very notion that there is “no exotic animal emergency” in Ohio to warrent an emergency executive order by former governor Ted Strickland.

    • Have Tim Harrison submit to a lie detector test about how many of his captures were staged events with his own animals or borrowed animals from a so called sanctuary.

  6. “The executive order will not displace animals, as current owners are grandfathered in.”

    Not true. Animals which are USDA licensed for breeding, exhibiting, etc. will no longer be – not able to support their own upkeep while still needing fed, vet care and other. The requirements to be “grandfathered” are an added expense for every owner even if they never exhibit, breed, etc. Simplifying the supposed impact to make it more palatable does not make it true. Does the state have money and a place for animals to go? Does the state need to take jobs away from people? Who will be responsible for killing animals with no place to go since sanctuaries cry “full” all the time? Rather than the Born Free agenda of animal rights, the facts need considered. Any means to meet the end in an animal rights agenda is hardly “welfare.”

    • So how exactly do wild animals in captivity “support their own upkeep”? By you breeding them and further contributing to the problem of unprepared people who buy them as babies and can’t take of them when they grow up? Wake up! Something is wrong when people have to pay more and go through more licensing to get a puppy than a baby tiger. Most people do not have the resources, training or facilities to take care of a tiger.

      Visit ANY true sanctuary out there — and by true sanctuary, I mean one that does not breed, buy or sell. They have ALL taken in the results of your “business,” and they have to do a LOT of fund raising to get the money they need to clean up after the exploitative trade in exotic pets.

      The fact is that private breeders to contract with accredited zoos are covered as exceptions under the law. So if you are breeding legitimately, you will stay in business. If you are not, you need to be out of business, for the sake of both the animals and the people around you.

      The other point is that this only affects a small subset of “exotic” pets — large dangerous wild animals. Your birds, lizards, small snakes, hedgehogs, etc, are not affected.

      • USDA licensed EXHIBITORS – sure you know the meaning of the term. They are…USDA LICENSED to EXHIBIT. I am sure you also know the number of USDA licensed owners in the state due to the FOIA.

        Just because you can’t “think” of any reason to own any animals does not mean they should not be owned or that all are abused, neglected, etc., and need the divine hand of HSUS to “protect” everything. They will be “protected” right out of existence. If FACTS, instead of emotion, are used – there is no reason for a ban of any kind – not statistics, safety, disease, or any of the claims made by the animal rights organizations. All is based on media sensationalism and emotion – NOT FACT or LOGICAL REASON.What, does HSUS have their marketing plan chomping at the bit to get donations for all the poor animals in Ohio losing their homes due to economic hardship of people taking fine care of them before HSUS stepped in?

      • My cats aren’t large and dangerous, but they are including them in this ban. Our savannahs are raised with children and go to many homes with children and make wonderful pets. No different than dog breeders!

  7. Okay, so you people think that every American should have the right to own whatever animal they want? Lion’s, tigers, elephants, Hyena’s, bubonic plague, Small Pox, Anthrax, Ebola, Cobras, whatever? And because why again? So you can HAVE them and protect your freedom, even though these creatures are programmed to want to eat your neighbor’s face. And you compare these animals to a car? A car is not inherintly designed to actually want to kill something and eat it because it moved a little too quickly, but because these animals kill less people than cars, then its being sensationalized, and everyone should have the right to own them. Here’s a thought, lets give every law abiding car owner ou there, there very own Cheetah, and lets see how many Cheetah deaths there are that year as compared to cars. I feel silly even having this argument. I can’t see how any right minded person would think that its not a good idea to regulate Lion ownership. A chicken in every pot, and a Cheetah to help you eat it. I think Thomas Jefferson meant you to pursue your happiness elsewhere.

    • CommonSense- I have not seen anyone on here argue or make mention that “every American should have the right to own a cheetah.” Let me ask you, do you believe “every American should have the right to own a dog, a horse, or domestic cattle”? Or to drive a car, own a swimming pool, or procreate to raise children? What I do see being stated here is that knowledgeable and responsible individuals should be permitted to own the animals of their choice PROVIDED that they are experienced and capable enough to do so. The similarities and particular outcomes which may or may not arise as a result of and between driving a car or owning a cheetah (or insert other animal species here) that you seem to be missing here, is that both are, to a large degree, a product of human actions or lack thereof. That, irresponsible actions and lack of accountability, therein is the real issue we need to address rather than focusing on exotic animals, certain dog breeds, or whatever else.

      If you look at the statistics that are published, there is a FAR greater occurance of dogs, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and other domesticated animals severely injuring or even killing human beings that occur in ONE year alone, including in the state of Ohio alone. Considering there has been only ONE fatality in the last year or so in Ohio from a NATIVE species of black bear, where exactly is the “exotic animal emergency in Ohio to justify this extremely ill conceived and damaging draconian measure? Take a gander at these statistics to see what you encounter in daily, routine, everyday life that can result in serious injury or death.

    • Common Sense? I beg to differ. Common sense would tell us people have lived alongside animals as long far back as history goes. Check with CDC and see what facts support your disease fear-mongering. Ahhh, not finding anything pertaining to the US much? Common sense would also tell us international travel should be banned if the correct pattern of your post is followed. Surely they have the same animals and then some in other countries, maybe even running wild?

      Learning to actually live with, rather than without, makes more sense than banning anything. Surely we expect people to live side by side with the wild ones on the name of conservation, do we not? Tiger conservation is a hot topic. I’m sure Google can fill in the blanks.

    • CommonSense, you certainly do make a lot of sense! I find it ludicrous that these people see no reason to ban ownership of wild animals…and this is the type of mind set that will own a wild animal…and that is a scary thought.

      • Rachel- Besides your personal opinion that the responsible ownership of exotic pets is “ludicrous”, what else can you cite to back this claim up with? If you do not have anything to offer, than someone with such an uninformed opinion, to me anyway, is a scary thought.

    • Thomas Jefferson? Is a slave owner even worth quoting?

      I think we can tell where your sensibilities lie – and its anything but supporting the so-called freedom America lauds itself upon.

  8. If u stop and think about it…….we should ban dogs as well if we are going to ban exotics. Look at how many dog attacks there are every year on humans. Many children. You do not hear of that many attacks each year by exotics in Ohio. I believe this ban is a extremely BAD thing. Just another right being taken away because of fear. What’s next……take away cars? Better yet…food ( look at all the food poisoning that takes place ) ? Come on people….when does it stop? Everything in life is dangerous if you do not use commen since and some things are just accidents. Don’t punish EVERYONE due to a few accidents.

  9. My question is for many people that are posting they are all for the ban…..how many of you have actually WORKED with an exotic animal? It is usually the people who have NEVER worked with or been around them that ruins it for people who it actually affects. I do not believe it is right to trade tigers for their fur or for someone to have a tiger in his/ her apartment BUT this ban affects places that are helping with the care of exotics that have been neglected or need homes. That is the part that upsets me. People who want to help and can’t now because of close minded people. Most of these places put their own money into helping these animals and now they are about to lose it all. How many people can say they put EVERYTHING into trying to HELP an endangered animal out of the goodness of their heart?

    • Re: “My question is for many people that are posting they are all for the ban…..how many of you have actually WORKED with an exotic animal?” I don’t need to be a banker to have an opinion about the financial crisis or be an oil rigger to have an opinion about last year’s oil spill and I don’t need to be an owner of a bear or a lion to have an opinion on exotic animals in Ohio. Have you worked in every industry that you have an opinion about? No. Large exotic animals are difficult to care for. Working in local animal shelters for years, I’ve seen first hand rabbits, cats and dogs being neglected and those are easy compared to the care of lions and crocs. Although there may be a few well-qualified people taking care of exotic pets in Ohio, the possibility for neglect is high in the hands of untrained people.

      I believe this whole thing is simply a debate over conservatives thinking that the government is a monster that will destroy all of society as we know it.

      • I would say it is more likely the ones posting for a ban have an agenda other than welfare, coupled with blindness to facts. Conservative or not has nothing to do with the issue at hand. Nice try though. The ones with an agenda are showing – why have an issue with something not affecting your life or business? Yet you expect those affected to see your “point?” or are you playing for an unaware audience to push more of the animal rights propaganda?

  10. As a exotic animal owner, breeder I hope that the new Governor will over turn the ex governor’s ban I have been going to the Mt. Hope sale from the start I have raised exotics for over 20 years never had one get loose or hurt many one Governor Kasich needs to look out after Ohioans not outside groups Ohio exotics animals created 12.5 billion dollars for Ohio last year We as Ohioans enjoy these animals for years now Wayne Pacelle Of the human society of the US says we can’t or he will take it to the ballot Wake up he is any way I have said it over and over split and divide next is Hunting,, Dairy Poultry, Veal, and Beef HSUS is trying to shut down beef lots in Nebraska now I have ask before ban arms I have lost a good part of my income because of this ban let us as Ohio animal owners stand as one call the Governor email lets get this over turned

    • what i would like to ban is allowing the coward behavior of hunting being called a sport. shooting an innocent animal from a distance with a high powered gun is the opposite of a sporting activity. only a coward would participate in such behavior.

      • People must hunt in order to keep the population down and diesease under controll. The ban does nothing for the animals except make more homeless right now. Ohio should have to foot the bill to care for them and making it a law to be accredited is illegal, as state can not make you join a private group or org. The govenor needs to look at the facts of his own law.

    • HSUS is hardly trying to shut down beef lots in Nebraska. That is ludicrous. In fact, they are working closely with a beef RANCHER from Nebraska named Kevin Fulton. Please look into the actual situation before spouting off misconceptions. Ohioans may be “enjoying” keeping lions and tigers in barns and basements, but I can assure you the animals are not enjoying the experience. They need to be in accredited zoos and sanctuaries, places where people have the training and facilities to take care of them. Not being bred irresponsibly to go to anyone who pays, no training, licenses, funding, or proof of decent facilities required.

      • HSUS found “a” farmer in Nebraska to work with them. Maybe you should get the facts and ask the huge majority of Nebraska farmers, what they think of HSUS and even Kevin Fulton. HSUS knows well how to divide and conquer – some are just a little slower at seeing how the manipulation works to the detriment of all.

      • I guess it might alarm you AmyK to know that many zoos obtain their animals from Private Licensed breeders. They do so because the animals are socialized and cared for and have vet records so they know they are getting well cared for, healthy animals.

      • KeithC, My understanding is that private breeders working with AZA-accredited zoos are exempt. So it’s not like it will put the legitimate breeders out of business. Yes, we are losing a lot of habitat for these creatures, which is why the zoo efforts at world conservation are vitally important. Breeding animals for the exotic pet trade? Not so much.

        As for the parties to the humane farms agreement from June, yes, they do include the Ohio Farm Bureau as well as every major farm commodity group in the state. And 6000 of us volunteered to gather signatures for the ballot initiative. Like Ellie, I fully support the agreement and will work for the continuation of it too.

      • AmyK- AZA accredidated facilities are indeed exampt from the “emergency”” proclomation, as is the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. However, these two organizations are by no means the only such entities or associations. Many such individuals are members of the American Association of Zookeepers, licensed by the ODNR, and/or a USDA licensed, to name only a few examples.
        Numerous other facts to remain cognisent of however, is that AZA effectively *sells* accredidation status to zoos who can afford it, and that includes the much coverted “get away with anything card”. AZA is not a governmental branch, nor do they own or operate any zoological or aquarium facility of their own, and lack any judicial authority to impose fines or penalties upon their members or non members. At most, they are able to revoke a member zoo’s “accrediation status”. Because AZA and GFAS are the only two such entities to be exempted under this proclimation, this will thus effectively result in a monopoly in the state of Ohio, while putting all other non AZA conservation groups, individuals, and organizations *out of business*.

      • Furthermore, the private breeders which you speak of who may be able to work with AZA facilities, may well actually be a impossibility, as the AZA has explicity shunned any such non AZA member or institution. The AZA has even gone as far as stating that they are the “only legitmate conservation organization in North America” in a newsletter. I personally find that hard to believe…

    Governor’s Office
    Riffe Center, 30th Floor
    77 South High Street
    Columbus, OH 43215-6108

  12. The proposal to ban the private ownership of exotic animals is one more action by HSUS and similar organizations to eliminate Americans use and enjoyment of animals because they have a different opinion of the value of animals in our lives. Unfortunately, they fail to realize how their proposals hurt everyone in the long term.

    Alligator populations were dying off in the South until alligator farming was recognized and regulated. Now a specific percent of the farm raised eggs are placed to rebuild the wild populations.

    Some of the affected owners of exotics are those who help us maintain various species.

    We do not have an emergency problem that demands a response when just one death happened in a year. I am extremely sorry for the family and wish that the owner had managed the bear in a better way. We do have hundreds of animal injuries from other domesticated livestock each year. We also have dozens of severe and many deadly dog attacks that occur, more than from exotics.

    If there is a real need for more regulation that could improve the situation, let us hear it. I sincerely doubt the need for a ban.

  13. What is a shame is that HSUS is using the family members as a pawn. Even the HSUS states there have been NO deaths to any member of the public and not a single case of any disease. Licensed Private owners take very good care of their animals as they are regulated and inspected by USDA and/or ODNR and are required to have an outside contracted Vet inspect the animals/facilities on site.



  16. I am against the ban. As an animal lover who trains racehorses and is owned by her primates I feel sorry for the people who can t understand the joy they can bring into your life. Yes there needs to be responsible ownership like anything else in this life, but regulations and education not bans. I attended the mount hope auction this fall actually selling my hyacinth macaw, who went to a great home, and I thought it was an exciting experience where I had the opportunity to meet many knowledgable people. My son and I drove all the way from new jersey.regardless of bans people will still raise and sell exotics. Why put it behind closed doors? Leave it in the open where it can be controlled and regulated. No ban

  17. Do people really believe that their is enough room in zoos to maintain a diverse population of animals? Private owners have been and would have continued to be part of the solution. There are species of exotic animals, that are only alive today because of private keepers, Pierre davids deer, american bison at the top of my head. Ocelots breeding programs were spearheaded by private owners. There used to be many many ocelots born a year because they thrive in private environments. Now there are only ocelots in zoos as they have been restricted as CITES I animals. Zoos only care about megafauna and animals that keep people buying admission. There are only a handfull of zoos breeding animals such as swift foxes, geoffroys cats, sandcats. This is where private owners can and do shine. There are NOT enough zoos in this world to keep a stable population, and they arent surviving in the wild! Very few people know that private owners keep studbooks of bloodlines just as a zoo does! It goes alot deeper then a tiger in an apartment!

  18. Most animal owners are advocates for animal welfare and trace their passion back to a childhood pet, family values that emphasized the welfare of that animal. Positive animal ownership encourages healthier human relationships, a feeling of connection to the natural world, and respect. People who are raised isolated from non-human animals can grow up to lack any empathy or caring for any animal and when that extends to the entire natural world it has been called “nature deficit disorder”.

    Sadly the animal rights movement has confused positive human/animal relationships and animal welfare with animal abuse. There is a difference between animal “welfare” and animal “rights”. The founders and leaders of the animal “rights” movement see human/animal relationships as detrimental to animals.

    They would like all animals to be wild and free, for people to quit eating meat, and stop owning pets. With the growth of the human population, pressures on the natural world and indicators that some people do not have good relationships with animals can create real problems. Animal “welfare” is the very concern for treating animals kindly, with respect, and seeing that animal needs and care are being met. Licensed Private Owners are completely about Animal Welfare, that is why they are Licensed, Inspected and have their animals under the care of a licensed Veterinarian. It puzzles the mind as to why Animal Rights advocates would attack and push for just legislation that only interferes with Animal Welfare whether it is Exotics, Companion Pets or Farm Animals.

    • if only the real world of exotic ownership was as you describe. unfortunately some of us are witnesses to cruelty that comes with the insanity of this world.

      • How have you witnessed this problem? What have you done if you witnessed a problem? It seems to me if the animals are being mistreated that current laws could be used to address the situation.

      • Do you live in the real world? Cruelty happens against people of all ages, animals, and in all countries. It is not the majority by a long shot. Get real, we’d all be extinct and animals gone already if this were such a widespread problem. Ohio has cruelty, abuse and neglect laws. I’m disgusted by the dishonest propaganda spewed be animal rights activists daily. Show statistics, proof, evidence of these claims made. Surely with over 100M a year, HSUS has money to put together a few stats?

  19. I haven’t read all the comments. After seeing The Elephant in the Living room and speaking with Office Tim Harrison, I’m convinced this deal is good for Ohio and should be a national policy. I’m all for having exotic animals only owned by people who are licensed to own them.

    • Media is a good source to base your view? Sorry, this is definitely a multiple source topic. I would never dream of supporting a ban of anything based on one documentary highlighting the likes of Mr. Harrison.

      • Wish people could know the truths about Tim Harrison and his Elephant in the living room….Did you know I have been told that he borrowed animals to “stage” his rescues so it looked like there were problems? Did you know that he keeps animals himself, but it’s not ok for you to? What make him the expert, wasn’t he just a normal cop? Now he’s an expert because he had the money to go out and pay someone to think that he is?

  20. It is absurd for anyone to argue in favor of the ownership of exotic animals. There is a reason they are called “wild”. These animals should be left to live their lives, as nature intended, within their natural habitat. I cannot think of a single reason why anyone should “own” a wild animal.

    Mary – “Current laws” do not even protect domestic animals. It is much harder to protect exotic animals without the ban. Even with it, I am certain there will be those who “just have to have” that enormous snake or lion that will be caged throughout it’s entire life.

    I am a proud member of HSUS who worked hard for this ban and I will continue to work for the continuation of it.

    • “It is absurd for anyone to argue in favor of the ownership of exotic animals. There is a reason they are called “wild” These animals should be left to live their lives, as nature intended, within their natural habitat”

      Ellie- Humans have been interacting with, raising, and keeping animals since our very inception for and in an entire myraid of different ways. The very relationship between humans and other animals can in many ways and cases, be considered a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. At one point or another (it matters not whether it be 10 years ago, or 10 thousand years ago), all animals including the dogs and cats we have “domesticated, were at one time “wild animals”.

      Furthermore, the natural habitats of many species being privately maintained and propagated in captivity, are in fact, being rapidly lost or degraded at an alarming rate through both direct and indirect results of human activity and expansion. The continued and very existence of some species would not be if it were not for private conversationalists and other individuals who maintain these animals. Your seemingly blind and devoted support for an Animal Rights group and its agenda to eliminate all exotic animals in captivity is an alarming one, and one with which I see many determents to.


      Exactly. Therefore, how can you state or claim that a prohibitionist measure can “easily protect exotic animals” when such measures will in actuality, do little or nothing to address animals being maintained in situations in which are already in violation of other existing laws or statutes?

    • Ellie, since you are unaware of Ohio’s Laws reqarding domestic animals, this is but a small sample from Ohio Administrative Code, there are even more laws in Ohio Revised Code. Please take a moment and read what Current Laws are in effect.
      959.14 HORSE TAILS
      959.15 ANIMAL FIGHTS
      959.16 DOGFIGHTING
      959.17 TRAPSHOOTING

    • Bravo, Ellie! People always resist change–look how they tried to hold on to black slavery and child labor all in the name of preserving their “livelihood” and “way of life.” It’s more difficult to enact legislation in favor of animals because the animals have no human voice, but thankfully, they have a voice through organizations such as the HSUS, Mercy for Animals, In Defense of Animals, and Animal Legal Defense Fund. Their successes in recent years have been ever increasing, so much so that law schools now offer animal law as a legal specialty field for aspiring new attorneys.

      Keep up your good work…I too am a member of the HSUS, and seeing a discourse such as this on Farm and Dairy just makes me want to increase my monthly donation. Change is coming folks, to your hog pens, your dairy barns, your feed lots, your battery cages…and even to your tiger cages–change is happening and more change is coming…buckle up!

      • Rachel- Wow, spoken like a true animal rights activist. For the record, Animal rights activists with this particular notion and mindset believe that all of our interaction, and ownership of and with animals equates to HUMAN slavery. Rachel, do you believe pet ownership equates to slavery?

        Regardless, you are overlooking that fact that our interactions, use, and ownership of animals has occurred practially since our inception, long predating “child labor” and “black slavery”…

      • Eric – Excuse me for interjecting – whoops! big word – I mean jumpin’ in here, but I do equate the slavery of animals to that of humans. And so does Martin Luther King Jr.s son, who is an Animal Rights activist.

      • Ellie, your agenda of animal rights, instead of animal welfare is showing quite flagrantly – oops, sorry for any confusion based on choice of “intelligent” words and self-perceived grandiose persons. Actually, the animals seem much more intelligent in only taking what they need, eating what they are designed to eat–meat or vegetarian–and not attempting to impose a personal agenda on others. Only an idiot would put themselves above nature to survive in an unrealistic world. Protein is good for production of brain cells, digression as a species isn’t natural in any way – eat some meat.

  21. Spoken like a true Hsus liar you people make me sick Ohio has laws so does USDA tell them their not doing their job take them to the puppie mills and all mistreated animals

  22. Wow, it amazes me how every month the number of people that took part in the Jun 30th “Agreement” has grown. First if was just Strickland, Fisher and Pacelle, then the Commodity Leaders where thrown in. Next Ohioians for Humane Farms entered the mix and now, Ellie herself was part of the Agreement. Funny, I have a copy of the signed agreement and I only recall 9 signatures on that document.

    Funny thing Ellie, that the former Gov Strickland, Farm Bureau and Wayne himself said the Ban was Strickland’s idea, no one else even metioned that and it was not part of the orginal signature drive. So just how hard did you work to get the ban enacted?

  23. AmyK
    I does put us breeders out of business again you animal rights people can’t tell the truth breedere can’t breed sell just keep the animal until it dyes

  24. Sanctuaries keep animals for their entire lives without breeding them. If you want to breed animals working with zoos as part of the Species Survival Plan, fine. If not, you are just adding to the exotic pet trade and the problem of irresponsible owners who cannot keep these animals. The fact is, most sanctuaries were started by people who once bought and sold exotic animals as pets, but came to see how bad the entire trade was for the animals they loved. It’s too bad so many people commenting here are unable to see this too.

    And as a reminder, unless you breed and sell big cats, bears, wolves, non-human primates, large constricting and venomous snakes, or crocodilians, you will NOT BE AFFECTED by the ban.

    • CECE- THIS IS A LIE. I do not sell, breed, exhibit or make money – in fact, half the primates here are BECAUSE of bans in particular localities. Reminder? No – LIE It does affect ALL current owners and animals. HSUS does not stop with one or a few. You admitted to disliking “the exotic pet trade” in a previous post. What’s next on your agenda?

      For the record – I am not against animal commerce. If you are unable to see a bigger picture than warm fuzzy feelings coupled with believing lies – stop taking any and all meds, no surgery, go vegan, join HSUS and PeTA.


      That may very well be the biggest lie I have seen posted on this website thus far. Please be truthful about the organizations and agendas you state you support/represent. In the broadest sense, this ban will absolutely affect the keeping of other reptiles besides “venomous snakes” and “large constricting snakes”, which by the way, I have not seen defined explicity in this emergency order. Is an indigenous 5 foot black rat snake a “large constricting snake” under this order? Or a ball python?

      If you have not already, I highly suggest you read HSUS’s own 2001 publication on keeping reptiles as pets, and pay special attention to the conclusions made there: “Finally, we recommend that [government] regulatory bodies *put an end to the reptile trade*, and *ban the sale of reptiles as pets to the general public…*. This is only the first step in HSUS’s ideologically driven agenda to eliminate exotic pets.

  25. Let’s be honest about most “sanctuaries” while we’re at it; most learned much money was to be made in being a “non-profit” or 501(c)3. AND get to keep the animals of their choice with others paying for it. Just as long as they denounce others’ ownership. Yes, CeCe, let’s be honest about things, shall we?

  26. Tom – I assume you are referring to AmyK. Considering they recommended euthanizing all Vick’s dogs and still took in money…while never having custody of the dogs…hmm. I don’t remember they exact percentage, but it well under 5% of the monies they receive is spent on actual animal care. They charge local humane societies if the “offer their services” and help hardly any in dire need.

  27. I operate(d) a small rescue facility. Our educational outreach focused on the large lizards, snakes & crocodilians, both in the wild and captivity. Many we presented to were those who wanted to own these animals. Once these people got to meet an adult retic, etc. they either changed their mind after realizng it was beyond what they had expected. Others went one to become truly dedicated keepers often adopting when they were ready for their own.

    As of now we are no longer able to educate, rescue or place these animals. For those of you who don’t know USDA license under Animal Welfare Act doesn’t cover reptiles (and of course USDA license holders aren’t exempt under ban regardless)I am not accredited with AZA or Global Fedration of Sanctuaries. There are MANY other facilities/educational programs in the same situation.

    Just as all ‘pit bull’ owners should not be judged by those owners who fight or attack train their dogs, all ‘exotic’ owners should not be judged buy those who act irresponsibly.

    Bans are never a solution only education. Those who operate illegally will continue to do so.

  28. The people that say the animals are not being taken care in private ownership. I have been to the Columbus, Cincinnati and other zoo. I have seen private owners have animals in larger cage and better habitats than some of the ones at the zoos. I have also see the other side with people that do not take care of the animals the have and have reported it. I have seen it all to often in the winter time that people will leave their animals outside without water and on a froozen chain that won’t even let them stand up. In the summer I have see dogs left in small cages with little shelter and reported it to be told that as long as they have water they could do nothing.

    Where will the ban end? With lions and tigers (which need to be licensed to own and I do not think everyone should have one). With wolves keep in kennels like for dogs of the same size. With birds being kept in thier cages? With hamsters and gerbils being kept in tank and cages made for them but not like if they was in the wild. With the fish being kept in fish tanks instead of pond lakes and rivers?

    The exotic animal ban is due to the black market side of the trade not the licensed people, so let’s punish the lawful people and not the law breakers. Let’s face it the bans work, look at the ban on drugs we now have no problem with them.

  29. People know the risk of having these animals n the few that have them n don’t no what they r doin r the people that make this look bad….pit bulls harm more people than exotics…..so instead of worrying about this why don’t u worry about finding more jobs n the US!

  30. Email Blitz to Spay and Neuter HSUS

    There is currenty an ongoing campaign to generate 1,00s of e-mails going to the Department of the Treasurey’s Office of the Inpector General for Tax Administraton (OIG). The IRS has assigned a case file number (29-92012) and the OIG has assigned a case file number (55-1005-0025-c). In light of the documents generated by the HSUS in their obsessive campaign in Missouri, and the revelation about the potentially missing $500+ Millon , a window of opportunity has opend for creating a scenario where the OIG will lean on the IRS to exedite its investigation of The HSUS. We are urging conerned individuals ( Hunters, Animal Owners, Farmers, Pet Owners) to send a short E-Mail to the OIG Office.
    VISIT http://www.saova.org to see the campaign agaisnt HSUS.
    It’s time we stopped the HSUS before they bury us .

    • I hope more people follow through on this with the IRS. It definitely needs done when we have such a small percentage dictating what others should do, based on their pseudo-religion of animal rights.

  31. I’m watching other sites about this ban and there are a few where the people that are for the ban are outnuberingtheones against the ban. The thing is there are about 20 users saying the same thing over and over. They say ALL wild animals belong in the wild and there are plenty of dogs in shelters waiting to be adopted, they for get that dogs are also a wild animal that has been breed in captivity with private owners. They also for get that there is a lot of people that wold rather go to a pet shop and spend hundreds and even thousands to get the same dog they could find at a shelter just to say my dog cost more than my car.

    • Gomeck- I too have noticed this implication within the mind set of many of the animal rights activists as well. That, if you choose to own or share your life with any species other than a dog or cat adopted from a shelter, that you are therefore somehow committing an unconscionable careless and selfish act of “cruelty” in their warped opinions of the world. What this mindset clearly fails to recognize and account for though, is that dogs and cats are clearly NOT suitable pets for EVERY individual or living situation. For example, many individuals do not wish to (or are unable to) contend with the daily maintenance and upkeep associated with dogs or cats, while some may have allergies to mammal hair and dander, or may be restricted from owning dogs or cats in their particular living situation. Thus, that is the reason why many people opt to keep reptiles, amphibians, fish, or other exotic species instead.

      I notice that activists with that particular mindset implicitly suggest that everyone is fit to own a dog or a cat, but yet at the same time, apparently believe no one is fit to own a reptile or other exotic animal and that they “belong in the wild” (which is in reality is far from being the harmonious and enchanted place they apprently believe it is, where all animals are friends and perform singalongs as seen in many Disney movies). Activists with this mindset forget that, as I have previously mentioned, all animals we have kept and bred in captivity, were at one point or another a “wild animal”.

      • Bill- This seems to be the implication being made though when such individuals openly advice to acquiring/adopting a dog or a cat over an exotic species.

      • The animal activists DO NOT want us having ANY animals including dogs and cats. BUT until there are none the ONLY thing that is acceptable is to adopt a dog or cat from the shelter. (and not all activists agree with that)

        Oh-and don’t forget to feed your newly adopted dog/cat vegearian food..

      • First, animal rights activists feel that human animals should hold a position as “guardian” of the non-human animals they care for, rather than “owner.” Second, they do not object to anyone being a “guardian” of a species other than dogs or cats–many of us care for pigs, cows, chickens, goats. However, when the welfare of any animal, exotic or not, suffers due to its confinement or treatment, we object and seek remedy.

        Regarding the ban against certain people keeping wild animals, we would support the ban not just due to seeking protection for the non-human animals, but also due to seeking protection for the human animals whose welfare could be threatened by irresponsible “owners” of dangerous non-human animals.


        Rachel- The welfare of those “human animals” of which you mention can be threatened by a myriad of “dangerous” objects and other situations involving the ownership and/or operation of irresponsible individuals. Many of which can be proven by facts, historical observation, and statistics to occur on a far greater basis annually than does keeping exotic animals. Again, I must ask you, should we outlaw all ownership of horses due to the irresponsible owners of these dangerous, non-human animals? Or what about dogs, cats, swine, swimming pools, automobile driving, playing football, soccer, etc etc. If you are truly as concerned with the protection of “human animals” as you claim you are, than why not attempt to outlaw or more strictly regulate these matters rather than focusing on animals that pose no real or measurable public safety threat in the state of Ohioor elsewhere?

      • The very concept of animal “guardianship” (which isound warm and “feel good” on the surface) is all but one subtle change in wording used in the animal rights activists’ toolchest that would drastically change the entire legal concept, perception, and notion of animal keeping and ownership altogether. The very notion leads to further ambiguities as to who is *actually* responsible for an animal, and severely compromises and undermines our rights and abilities as pet owners and others involved in animal husbandry and propagation fields to be able to make and engage in sound, and best animal husbandry and management practicies (and in some cases even to own or sell an animal) on a case by case basis. In all actuality, regarding ourselves as “guardians” really does nothing at all to address irresponsible and/or abusive pet oweners, as I see no evidence of such. See the AVMA page for more info: http://www.avma.org/advocacy/state/issues/ownership.asp

  32. Folks, I just had to delete four comments on this article for extreme profanity, personal attacks, etc. Please, we appreciate feedback and we understand this is a controversial, heated topic. But we also remind users to remain civil, constructive and on-topic in their conversations. Posts that are off-topic, contain vulgarity or that may be considered a personal attack will be removed. If it continues, we will block that user from commenting completely.

    Thanks for your cooperation and continued engagement on our page.

  33. That was nice for the activist to point out another group of people that will be without jobs, the animal lawyers and teachers. What are we up to now, around 3,000,000 jobs to be affected by this ban. Not to mention the 8 to 9 million plus pet owners in the state. We need a list of jobs that will be affected by this ban. Like hotel/motels that make the majority of thier income around this industry, all the way down to the county fairs that the 4 H has participants showing animals..

    I have also been talking to some pet shops and they are under the idea that they will be grandfathered in and still allowed to sell boas, pythons, and others. Even if they are grand fathered in no one will be allowed to buy them. They just don’t understand.


    Disregarding my own personal opinion (which is very strong towards a cetain side)… why not let them take it to ballot? When did the governor, farm leaders, and some radical activist group become the sole voice of our citizens?

  35. That is a the very question the Animal Industry has been asking since June 30th. At no time before, during or after that agreement has anyone consulted any representative of our industry. It is the responsibility of our elected and appointed officals to make fair and just laws based on sound information and expert advise, not inflated, imagined or created news stories and documentaries.

    Strickland forgot about all the business’ and people that are linked to the Animal Owners themselves. I can only imagine the revenew that is generated for non-animal owners from the Reptile Show. This affects much more than just animal owners.

  36. I have a question, what if you have an animal that is on the list that is already bred. If they have thier babies say in 2 or 3 months are you breaking the ban?

  37. Last summer I went to see a roadside zoo and it was one of the most depressing things I have ever witnessed. A huge python was in an aquarium so small the snake could not even stretch out, there were three big cats all of which were in cages that were too small for them. There was a baby kangaroo that was lethargic and appeared sick, a monkey was in a tiny cage and it’s teeth had been pulled. Animals liek this suffer just so people can gawk at them.

    There is absolutely NO reason that supports the “right” for people to own exotic animals. If people are going to lose jobs, well, I guess they wouldn’t have that problem if they hadn’t have been in the business of exploiting animals in the first place.

    My sympathies lie with the animals.

    • Ellie-that right you mention is a CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT. Perhaps you should take time and read it. It was written so that people like yourself that has YOUR OWN opinion on something CAN NOT force it onto others who have differing opinions. Your opinion is NO MORE correct than people who own exotic animals’ opinions.

      • Well, FED-UP &PO’d farmer, I can’t seem to find anywhere in the Constitution that even mentions the right to own exotic animals. In fact,I don’t think the word “exotic” is even in the Constitution. Perhaps, that is because the framers of this document didn’t dream that the human race could possibly sink as low as it has. I think John Adams would have a difficult time trying to understand why a person had to “own” a python or a bear.

      • Ellie- May I suggest then reading the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution, of which the following exerpt is a part of: “…nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

      • EricWI, no private property is being taken for public use. Current owners are grandfathered in. They just can’t breed or buy more animals. The government is free to put limitations on many things people can buy, sell or own. It’s illegal to buy or sell marijuana or grow it in your yard. It’s illegal to buy, sell or create child pornography. And now, thankfully, it will be illegal to buy, sell or breed large dangerous wild animals. This is the right law for both the people and the animals of Ohio.

      • I think Ellie would do well to study a little history, see how many past presidents were owners of exotic animals in the past. Even Pres. Obama had a monkey named Tata in Indonesia. Delve into the past and her interpretation of the constitution and John Adams may prove to be wishful thinking only.

      • AmyK- And how effective have drug prohibition and child pornography laws actually been thus far in stemming the prevalence of these two respective issues, I might ask?
        Regardless, I still have not seen any proven facts or statistics to indeed indicate that there is any substantiated “exotic animal emergency” in the state of Ohio.

      • One must also closely examine the true validity of the public “risk based” arguments AmyK and other Animal Rights activists seem to be favoring in serving as justification for the Governor or legislature in outlawing the ownership/transfer of exotic pets in Ohio. That, the “risk-based” argument, is a rather common justification used increasingly, and too often without sufficient (or sometimes any) justification, by our very own government as well as prohibition activists to erode the very liberties our country was founded upon, each time in the name of “public safety”. It is that small, but continual erosion of our liberties that we all need to recognize and wake up to. It seems, unfortunately, to be an increasingly true statement that no man’s liberties are safe when the legislature is in session…

        Taken at face value, outlawing “exotic animals” would seem like a reasonable measure to ensure the public’s protection/safety if one examines only the sensational, anecdotal, and often agenda driven news and media reports (and other misinformation and false claims) that AR activists would quickly have the public believe. However, we must dig deeper into the issue than this, by examining the actual statistics (and other published risk based assessments), statistical trends, and scientific information that is relevant to these animals and the subsequent keeping of them. In the case of keeping venomous reptiles and “large constrictors”, for example, we have continually seen that no uninvolved third party member of the public outside the immediate household has been killed or injured as a result of an escape by one of these animals.
        The risk associated with keeping these animals is therefore one which is largely voluntary and occupational in nature. It is fundamentally no different from owning a lawn mower, swimming pools, plastic bags, automobiles, going rock climbing, or engaging in contact with other humans, all of which statistically contribute to far greater incidents involving death or injury every year than owning “exotic pets”. And this fundamental question remains; if these exotic pets listed in the order are so widespread and prevalent in Ohio and elsewhere like the activists state that they are, why then are we not seeing more published statistics involving them? The fact that we are not should clearly indicate that the issue is of insufficient magnitude to warrant a complete prohibition. That is the fundamental difference I see, in that the magnitude of intrusion/effect on other’s right to life and liberty and safety is proven far greater in the case of with the marijuana and child pornography prohibitions stated previously than is keeping an exotic pet in a controlled and secure environment or household where unauthorized contact with the public is disallowed and measures are taken to reduce as much as possible the occupational risks associated with that activity. Thus, I do not accept those cases as valid precedents for outlawing exotic pets on grounds of the “risk” argument.

        Granted, accidents can and do occur in every activity, occupation, or profession we engage in. However, individuals who commit acts of recklessness, irresponsibility, and/or other violations are to be, and should be, the individuals held accountable for the incident in question rather than an entire sub-community or industry.

      • Ellie – I am going to do a copy/paste of the very conversation above so you can follow:

        Ellie Said: “I am a proud member of HSUS who worked hard for this ban and I will continue to work for the continuation of it.”

        Keith Said: “Funny thing Ellie, that the former Gov Strickland, Farm Bureau and Wayne himself said the Ban was Strickland

    • Ellie, we are still awaiting to know just how YOU personally worked to get the emergency order, aka the Ban, enacted when it was Strickland’s idea.

      • This doesn’t just pertain to exotics, Black bears, Coyotes, and Bobcats ars Ohio Native Animals.( Could it be that ODNR is in violation as well for allowing these animals to occur naturally?

      • Keith C. – The Exotic Animal Ban came into existence because of the ballot initiative that all of YOU were so afraid of. Many of us all over Ohio worked very hard to gather the 500,000 signatures before the OFB panicked.

        And Jeff – The ODNR would only be in violation if the bears and coyotes are held in captivity.

        Is it really that hard for all of you to entertain yourselves without using animals?

      • Ellie – how many were brought in from outside Ohio, paid, to solicit signatures? How many used the same emotional plea, instead of facts, to get signatures?

      • Ellie said “The Exotic Animal Ban came into existence because of the ballot initiative”. So, knowing what I do know because I do not want to assume anything because that would upset certain Directors of Ohio HSUS but Ellie, I pulled the orginal petition from the state board of elections, you can find it yourself right here: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/upload/ballotboard/2010/2010-02-16petition2.pdf
        Title: Minimum standards to prevent inhumane treatment of farm animals, enhance food safety, and strengthen ohio family farms.

        Section 2.A (this is to amend Ohio Constitution so there is no section 1)
        1. Tethering of calves
        2. Humane slaughter of cows/pigs
        3. Sick or injured cows
        Section 2.B
        1. Definition of Calf
        2. Definition of Cow
        3. Definition of Egg-laying Hen
        4. Definition of Enclosure
        5. Definition of Farm
        6. Definition of Farm owner or operator
        7. Definition of Fully extening limbs
        8. Definition of Person
        9. Definition of Pig
        10. Definition of Pig during pregnancy
        11. Definition of Poultry
        12. Definition of Turning around freely

        Nope, nothing about Exotic Animals. So you said, “The Exotic Animal Ban came into existence because of the ballot initiative”. Then you lied to people that signed the petition and their signatures were gathered under false pretenses. Thanks for the information, I will be sure to forward that to DNR Director, Ohio Attorney General, Board of Elections and Gov. Kasich’s Office.

    • Ellie, you are absolutely right..and I find it sadly repulsive when anyone depends on their subsistence through the suffering of other creatures.

      • Rachel- I am curious to know then, are you a vegan? Do you wear any leather, or have leather car seats? Own a pet? Do you have access to modern medicine and healthcare (wait, much that is largely “subsistance through the suffering of other creatures too, is it not?)

  38. I do agree that there are people that should not have these animals because they do not take proper care of them. That is why there are laws and regulations in place, the problem is people go and gawk at the animals in bad condition and don’t report them or the people in that area in charge of enforcing the regulations are not enforcing the or are getting a kick back. I have sold exotics for 20+ years, I work with a lot of licensed breeders. I have had alot of request for a lot of different animals. I can’t count the times that I have been asked to get a tiger, lion, bear, monkey, x large snake, alligator ect. I have sold only 2 Burmese pythons and 5 red tail boas over the years, however I have sold a lot of ball pythons & other small pythons, tree bos & other small boas, corns, kings & milks over the years. I have sold a few caimen and a lot of lizards. As far as the lions and tigers go I would not sell the to people that would just come in. I always tried to make sure the person was able to take care of what they wanted when it was grown up. I had slot of people leave my place and go else where to get what they wanted & some of them would come back within a year wanting to know if I wanted this animal that was getting to big for them to handle. I also work with animal rescue and have had a few calls from the Dayton area over the years (3), 2 from cincinatti and several from other areas. I get about 5 calls a year from about a 60 mile radius. I also set up at anarea fleamarket and was told by the owners that if I wanted to sell the small turtles or other shady animals I needed to pay 1000.00 more a month so I could be informed when fish and game was there. I already knew when they was there but they didn’t know that. It took them about 6 months to find out that I worked with them and was asked to leave. If we would do like other contries and tag the animals and some use gps tags that would be good.

    Now about the jobs in jeopardy they are not only the jobs that are directly tied to the animal industry but a large spider web of jobs. From pet shops to hotels, from arenas, fair grounds, exhibit centers to restaurants, and others. Can Ohio afford to lose the kind of money generated by this pet industry?

    Just heard on the radio that another country is cloning a mammoth.

  39. The Animal Rights people don’t contact proper authority, they just go and take pictures or video and use that as a basis to say all animal owners do that. There are bad apples, we all know that, but they are not the majority.

    Doubt what I say? Let’s start with Conklin Dairy farm, who was contacted about the alleged abuse? Buckeye Veal? Farm Fresh Eggs? The very roadside zoo Ellie talks about? What authority was contacted about the alleged abuse?

    MFA, HSUS, OHF and all the rest don’t contact the proper authorities most generally because their is no abuse, it’s just something they don’t agree with. Where is the justice with an Animal Rights group commits crime against Animal Owners? There are some groups that are proud of the fact they committed Burglary and Criminal Trespassing on business/animal owners and the law looks the other way because “it was in the name of animal rights”.

    Look at what happened to the all the unwanted horses since the slaughter house was shut down. Thousands now being shipped to Mexico or left to their own because there is nowhere for them to go. More damage has been done since HSUS got legislation passed to stop the horse market, was that intentional of HSUS, to actually cause this much suffering of animals or did they just not think the whole thing through?

    Just as with this ban, the end result creates a ripple effect across many business that support not just the animal industry but numerous types of industries.

  40. I guess it really doesn’t matter, does it now, Amy? The fact is the signatures were gathered and ALL of us will be willing to return to it if need be.

    • …while considering the over 100 mil a year “donations” to HSUS to pay said workers. Yes, it matters Ellie – people aren’t stupid forever. They learn when shown facts.

      So you admit you’re not even from Ohio? You said “and ALL of us will be willing to return to it if need be.” Quite telling. Have no stake in anything but the animals RIGHTS agenda? Interesting. I would venture to say HSUS may spend a LOT more on an initiative or they wouldn’t have dealt any deal to begin with.If your cause is so true, let education and personal decision make the call – not campaigning with paid signature gatherers and heart-wrenching commercials. Maybe it means your agenda isn’t as great as you think if you can’t do so.

      • Amy – Yes I am from Ohio. By “all of us” I meant the people who are willing to return to the work of gathering signatures, if need be.

    • You’re right, Ellie..the ban passed and that’s what counts; and more bans, laws, regulations, and restrictions will be forthcoming to protect both the animals’ welfare and their rights. Yes, they have rights–whether a creature is a human animal or a non-human animal, they have rights…animals have rights.

      More change is coming because as more and more people become aware of different abusive practices, then more and more people become active in correcting those practices. And what sort of people are getting involved?

      Well, of course, many are young people, but many are like me–I’m a grandmother, living in Florida..I’m also an animal rights activist and participate in undercover investigations, giving both physical and monetary support to the cause for both animal rights and animal welfare…and I’m just offering personal background to illustrate the broad range of society that has now involved itself in animal protection; we’re not just a “fringe” group, we’re not just young college students, and we’re not just some California “lefties”–we animal rights activists are from all age groups all over the United States and all over the world…so change won’t go away, and even more change is coming as our ranks are growing every day.

      • Animal Rights Activist’s cause humans to suffer, which then ripples down to cause the animals to suffer when they were perfectly cared for before. Just like when the Horse Slaughtering was banned. Look at the thousands of horses that now suffer because of that.

      • Rachel- I find it curious that you claim you support *both* animal rights and animal welfare. When in fact, the concept of “animal rights” is the complete antithesis of “animal welfare”. Don’t believe me? Well, let us look at some of the quotes mentioned by the very leaders of your “movement”:

        “We are not especially ‘interested in’ animals. Neither of us had ever been inordinately fond of dogs, cats, or horses in the way that many people are. We didn’t ‘love’ animals.” Peter Singer, Animal Liberation: A New Ethic for Our Treatment of Animals, 2nd ed. (New York Review of Books, 1990), Preface, p. ii.

        “It’s not about loving animals. It’s about fighting injustice. My whole goal is for humans to have as little contact as possible with animals.” Gary Yourofsky, founder of Animals Deserve Adequate Protection Today and Tomorrow (ADAPTT), now employed as PeTA’s national lecturer

        “I despise ‘animal welfare.’ That’s like saying, ‘Let’s beat the slaves three times a week instead of five times a week’.” Gary Yourofsky, founder, Animals Deserve Adequate Protection Today and Tomorrow (ADAPTT), PeTA’s national lecturer, quoted in “As Threats of Violence Escalate, Primate Researchers stand Firm”, Chronicle of Higher Education, Washington, DC, November 12, 1999

        “Yes, abolition is the ideal.” Kim Sturla, in SATYA Magazine Oct 2006 (http://www.satyamag.com/oct06/sturla.html)

  41. If this ban gets made permanent I would like to know who is going to rescue Ohios economy? 12+ billion a year is a lot to lose. I would say that it would be a safe bet to say that anyone that makes any money from this industry directly or indirectly spends nearly 100% of it here in Ohio. Be it for gas, house payments, other bills, food or whatever. It will be devastating in the long run. And why is law enforcement officers exempt from the ban? Why are they still allowed to buy, sell, and breed the animals?

    • Gomek- Who is going to rescue all of Ohio’s confiscated or otherwise displaced animals facing euthanization as a result of this order, in the event that it is made permanent by Kasich?

      • Does HSUS contract PeTA vans, like they used to kill dogs and throw in a dumpster behind a grocery store? Using common sense, I would say they don’t know the magnitude of death they will cause. Using knowledge from what they do and have done – THEY DON’T CARE. Which completely fits the PeTA agenda of better off dead. Animals in the current vortex mean NOTHING to them – just a means to an end – no animals.

    • And seriously Gomek, no offense intended, HSUS doesn’t care about that either. They get their “pay” and keep soliciting for donations to help the puppies and kitties. Not enough pay attention to their whole picture and agenda yet. Why do you think their largest number on payroll is attorneys, administrative and fund raisers?

  42. Just wondering who will have to pay to train ODNR how to handle the animals that they will confiscate because of this ban? And who will pay for the microchip readers for ODNR to have so that they can check those animals also? Maybe HSUS would be willing to give the money to the state?????? Probably not, instead they will want to send their “Experts” to do the job.

  43. I agree Eric, why punish the whole for acts of few.

    I also would like to see recorded facts about attacks that have occured here in Ohio where it is supposed to be a problem as well as elsewhere. I have searched the Internet and have found a few places the exotic animal attack have happened. Most of quiches happened in zoos, circus and such. And involved the handlers and most happened in other states. I haven’t found any loose animal attacking other than wild animals and dogs. Most deaths that happen in the US by other living creatures by far is by humans and by non humans is by bees and wasp.

  44. I have been checking out other sites about the ban and love it when people for the ban site the bear attack as the main reason for support of the ban, When did the black bear become an exotic animal? They also tell in in a truthful way that it was someone other than the owner that the bear attack making it seem that it was not someone that even worked with the bear.

    Here is a list of the animals that I found:
    Carnivorous mammals: coyote, timber and gray wolf, lions, tigers, bobcat, lynx, cougars, all species of bears
    All non-human primates
    Reptiles: alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharials, Dangerous and/or poisonous snakes such as:, mole vipers, anaconda, Burmese python, reticulated python, amethystine python, scrub python, northern African python, southern African python, boomslang, twig snake, cobras, mambas, coral snakes, sea snakes, rattlesnakes, pit vipers, puff adders.

    Here is the address to the full list http://ohiodnr.com/tabid/23167/default.aspx

    • The link was taken off my last post about the petition for the ban of exotics. I had the link to it I won’t add the link this time. But looking over the list of signatures and counting a portion of about 200 of them I got an average of 1 out of 20 was from Ohio and 17 out of 60 was from outside the US. Which gives us 57 out of 60 outside Ohio. Why are these people make the laws and bans for Ohio?

  45. Here are two new stories about this animal ban.

    If you have not heard this just happen in Cleveland

    I know this is not Ohio but it affects the exotic animal industry.
    “Connecticut Residents Take Notice
    CT- DEP creates list for banning wild, exotic animals by public

    Nearly two years after a chimpanzee mauled its owner’s friend in Stamford, the state Department of Environmental Protection has released a proposal to ban possession of dozens of wild and exotic animals by the general public.

    The list contains the obvious — elephants, lions, bears, hippos, rhinos, large primates, harbor seals and alligators. It also includes perhaps the less obvious — deer, black-tailed prairie dogs, striped skunks, raccoons, rattlesnakes and bats.

    There are some specific members of species that also would be banned as pets: mangrove snakes, cat-eyed snakes, Muscovy ducks, swamp, rock and nail-tailed wallabies, tree kangaroos and monk parakeets.”
    (F&D Editor’s note: This comment has been shortened from its original. We cannot reproduce entire articles from other publications in comments because of copyright infringement.)

      • I hope you are not telling me to mind my own business. I posted that story to show how things are going. The people that checked the snakes health out said that they was taken care of very well and healthy. Also they say that she called about other stuff also. Sounds more like a personal vendetta than anything else. As a person with large snakes and other exotics that have been used in modeling, promotions and education at schools but with this ban can no longer do this. So now I lose that part of my income along with the joy that my family and I got doing that.

      • You haven’t already checked or not a member Matt, goto oaao.us. We have been fighting the onslaught of legislation for the past 20 years so that we can keep our rights.

  46. I think we should allow people the opportunity to have a wide variety of animals. Too many people assume we aren’t able to manage and shouldn’t trust our citizens. Just how much do you want a police state to come inspect your home to assure you don’t own exotics. Unless you accept the right of police to come searching homes that “might” have these pets, then the law would have no value.

  47. This will not help the animals as there is no room for them in already croweded sanctuaries, further more every state gives the right to sanctuaries and they are the worst place, Most are not licensed by anyone therfore not inspected nor trained to care for dangerous animals. Forcing people to be accredited is illegal as there is no goverment accrediation program, any state saying you have to be AZA accreditted makes an illegal monopoly and is very illegal for a state or city to force you to join a private group. This just needs to be dropped and thought about before hurting more animals and putting animals that are in professional hands into untrained hands

  48. The ban is just another step in government controll.

    They will be coming for your pet poodle next. If you don’t beleive me look at the proposed pet ban in San Francisco.

  49. First let me say that I am not for sure that we are getting the real story about Terry Thompson, the man was hated by his neighbors,they immediately ruled his death a suicide without any investigation it sounds to me like he was being hounded to the ground from every direction authorities could come up with,all of the make you sick dead cats sure looked awful well fed.WAKE UP! WAKE UP! We are at WAR for our rights.Maybe the good ole boys of the county wanted a free safari hunt? Investigation is needed from out side the county after all it would not be the first time officials were bribed for the chance of a life time safari hunt like this. Jack Hanna, National Humane society Peta have the same agenda only they should have the right to own these animals.That’s why they ran to the scene to get their opinion out there. Now what are we hearing, ban, ban, ban looks like Terry’s death will do what years of lobbying could not. I have been in domestic rescue for dogs and cats for years we are on the run too. I have watched many of my devoted friends falsely charged with animal crulety,there animals confiscated most of them killed by the supposed humane society. When you get to court no due process, no rules of discovery, no rules of evidence, the fix is in. Just like the fix is in for Terry Thompson’s cause of death .Ever hear of the ANIMAL TERRORISM ACT, Thats where some nut group comes in and kills the animals then screams animal cruelty at the owner. This has all the signs of such an act. After they get the rights of Private dog and cat rescuers it will be the farmers in fact there already on it,people who know how to farm and raise teir own food are dangerous to corporations who want total control over you and the food you eat.Mean time as big agri takes over listeria, e-coli just happens to be killing the poor dumb incapable of caring for yourselves suckers. You Exotic animal owners are the target right now.Dog breeders beware! WHAT”S ABOUT IT”S MEANT TO CONTROL YOU.

  50. just spoke with the Office of Rep Debbie Phillips and I was informed that she fully supports HSUS and the banning of all animal sales, does not care if takes away family income. Also that all hunting, trapping and fishing should be ended immeaditly. She is introducing a bill today to ban ownership of all exotic animals within our State. Call her office now and protest 614-466-2158.

    • A Deadly Ending To A Perfect Agenda

      In America, we still have the right to freedom of speech and the right to form our own opinion. I am doing just that.
      There are way to many perfect scenarios for this tragedy that struck Zanesville Ohio. It has been repeated by just the right people that have just the right friends way to many times. Carole Baskin of Big Cat Rescue of Tampa Florida calls exotic animal owners drug addicts. Jack Hanna calls exotic animal owners drug addicts. Carole Baskin gave the HUSU $100,000.00 this year to eat dinner with the HSUS, Hanna Filming and Carole Baskin was confirmed (via email) of setting up fake rescues to gain television time and gain profit from it. Carole Baskins former husband’s body has never been found, his own kids believe she fed him to her tigers. Neither organization the HSUS or PeTA will respond to the cry from the people around the world to stop Carole Baskin from feeding live rabbits to her hobby of collecting baby bobcats under the pretence of rehabilitating animals, however the videos on youtube they are feeding domestic rabbits to lions and tigers.

      What do they all have in common or to gain from a tragedy such as this? They all together are working to get the American Politian’s in a panic and start passing ban bills and Terry Thompson was the perfect person for this to happen to. He had been in trouble for animal cruelty and fresh out of prison. In their eyes a drug addict with exotic animals.
      Was it suicide or the perfect murder for an agenda?

      Ask yourself; why would a man with keys and reported to be lazy take the time to cut his cages open?
      How would anyone with such a mess of cages cut open enough cages to let every animal out alone and not be killed or attacked by one of those dangerous animals?

      How would anyone have the time go do this and get away from them and go in front of his house and shoot himself leaving his body bloody in an small outside area with over 50 carnivores and not be eaten by starving tigers, lions and bears?

      If the animals were let out late afternoon around 5pm and the police did not show up until nearly 7pm, that would mean the animals had nearly a 2 hour head start with no perimeter fence around the property and every animal was found and shot within nearly 18 hours with half of that being dark and rainy. How could that be possible unless you knew something was up?
      Why did no law Enforcement, responding zoo, or wildlife park have the proper paralyzing agent to insure a proper knock down without death to the animals? (yes tranquilizers take a while but paralyzing agent work in seconds and it does work)?

      Why did Jack Hanna post a picture of all the dead animals on his face book for the entire world to have their hearts pulled out? It was to further their agenda is what I got out of it.

      What is their agenda? Carole Baskin put in writing in her 20 year plan by the year 2016 NO ZOO will be able to exhibit exotic cats due to the public outcry. All zoos and private owners will be forced to give up there cats and go only into sanctuaries approved by her group the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries and hope that they all die out by the year 2025. Do you realize if they get away with this, the entire world will be without tigers by the year 2025? That just cannot happen.
      Not even 48 hours after the animals were buried and Terrys body still lays above ground their plan is in action. Already they are on the internet, phones and emails pushing Governors to pass emergency ban laws. They wasted no time.
      Do you not think it is funny how they all support and promote The Elephant in the living room and it was scheduled to premier the next night in Ohio after this tragedy?

      The perfect promotion.
      I myself own a zoo, with nearly 200 large cats. Could I let 50 of mine out and make it out alive. I don’t think so.

      Would I take the time to cut the cages and locks when I own the key? I don’t think so.

      Would I let the animals out that I loved to be killed. Not a cold day in hell.

      Would you find my tigers, lions and bears in nearly 18 hours. No way.

      The sheriff had the opportunity to exercise his authority in January of this year when we had people on location and 2 teams heading that way to confiscate those animals and place them in a safe place until the courts could decide but he blocked our attempt by saying there well cared for and there is no safety issue. His smiles while talking to the news looked like he loved hunting those beautiful creatures down like rats.

      I have been working on a story for over two years now and have over 1000 documents tying most of these people together and NO ONE would listen to me. Congratulations, the agenda is no in full motion unless the President of the United States get a special team of investigators on this that are NOT elected people. This will happen agan and agan until the agenda is complete. When our park was broken into and the PeTA employee was caught red handed stealing our computers, I was told by the FBI agent that there was no way they would prosecute it because it would cost the Judges and Prosecutors to many votes. Congratulations, there now has been two animal owners found dead on their property, both ruled a suicide due to being crazy exotic animal owners, while the truth may still be among us in the form of people you call your friends, allies or heroes.

      This whole thing sickens me. If I am found dead, trust me I did not commit suicide, my animals did not eat me. Find my body, set me in a seat on the front row and let my dead body watch The Elephant In The Living Room while my ghost fly’s around the earth saying I was right.
      Welcome to America……

  51. I am posting to say the governor is atm signing a emergency ban! Bye bye rights! Hello more control! I called Ms.Phillips office and that is the message they gave me, my thoughts are with you Ms. Thompson, I am in hopes your babies will be returned to you.

    We don’t have any knowledge of what really happened and I am hoping to see an investigation! The media NEVER has it right!

    • Peta and Hsus are both a couple of the worst organizations I know of. First, they support the use use of what I consider domestic terrorism to obtain their goals through radical cohorts. Second, lets see them put their money where their mouth is for a change instead of paying high salaries and expenses. I wont even delve into all the frivolous lawsuits that are filed by them. Very little of the money they collect actually goes to any form of animal welfare or conservation. Please dont take my word for it. Get copies of the required financials that are filed with the government every year. Last I dont know of one no kill animal shelter run by these folks. Farmers, ranchers, breeders, hunters, and fisherman do and spend more every year to protect and conserve both domestic animals, exitic animals, and wildlife than all the others combined. It is easy to get emotional over a picture of an abused animal on the tv asking for donations. It is too bad only about 2% of the money actually makes it out of HSUS and PETA’s coffers. They should be the last organizations to be listened to as a credible source. Please folks, check out what I am saying.

      • A little more on HSUS and PETA. Well, they managed to win a federal lawsuit dealing with 2 maybe 3 types of exotics. All three are either considered extinct or critically endangered in their native habitat. Many years ago several of the three species were brought to the USA by entrepeneurs to breed and raise. These are mostly in Texas on huge ranches, and were intended for hunting. The result is that through good management and assigning value to the animals (real money) they have increased the numbers drastically. There have been attempts to reintroduce many of these back to their native habitats. These are the scimitar horned oryx, addax, and I believe dama gazezelle. I am not sure if the last animal was part of the lawsuit or not. HSUS and PETA filed and won in federal court so now there can be no hunting, breeding, sale etc of any of these animals without cites permits and a lot of undue govt. intervention and expense. Money that I might add will not even cover the cost of feed let alone vet expenses. So guess what happens to a huge number of these animals now before the ban takes place in April? You guessed it. When confronted and asked about it the Peta/HSUS folks response was “We dont care if the animals go extinct as long as nobody is hunting them.” That may not be an exact quote but it is as close as I can remember. My response, WTF! Can you really be this naive, ignorant and uncaring about the preservation of the species? You have once again shown your true clolours and agenda. You dont really care about the animals as long as you achieve your agenda. So they have taken an exotic that was basically raised as stock and taken it out of the very hands of the people who did the best job for all concerned. What will be considered dangerous? Who gets to decide? I think restrictions are fine but once again the political types as well as these extremists think they have the right to cram their belief down everyone elses throat. Sorry this was long winded it just really gets me riled up. Again check and see where all the money goes for these organizations. You will be surprised and dissapointed.

Leave a Reply to Tom Cancel reply


Receive emails as this discussion progresses.