Bill would ban all exotic animals, including constricting snakes, venomous snakes and crocodilians.
The United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) is urging all those who love to keep or sell reptiles in the state of Ohio to contact Representative Debbie Phillips, the principal author of a house bill 352 to ban exotic animals (including alligators, crocodiles, constricting snakes, and venomous snakes) and say no to this bill as written. USARK says that the bill is a knee jerk reaction to the recent release of exotic lions, tigers and bears and subsequent suicide of the caretaker of these animals in Zanesville, Ohio. USARK also points out that no reptiles were released at that event.
USARK says that this event is being exploited by the Humane Society of the United States in its effort to end all animal ownership. The reptile industry in the Buckeye State does approximately $30 million in business in the state and employs thousands, according to USARK. The bill can be read on the USARK website and a letter writing campaign to Representative Phillips can be found here.
