Outgoing Ohio Governor Ted Strickland signed an Executive Order on January 6, 2011 in regards to the possession, sale and transfer of “dangerous wild animals”. This Executive Order mandates the immediate adoption of a new Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife rule that bans private ownership of many exotic animals; including 7 constrictor snakes, all venomous and crocodilians. Possession of such animals currently in private ownership will be grandfathered under specific conditions. All trade or transfer of possession is banned except under certain circumstances. This order is temporary for the next 90 days. The rulemaking process has been initiated and should include participation from all stakeholders.

USARK is engaging in the process and reaching out to newly elected Governor Kasich’s office. The new Governor is a reasonable man and very pro small business. Currently he does not have a complete picture of the dynamics or facts of this issue. USARK is working to educate the Governor on the reality of this situation; as well as the ideologically skewed perspective of proponents from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

Governor Kasich has the power to reverse this order once he understands the facts. It is up to USARK and the Reptile Nation to voice our concerns and help the Governor understand that reptiles do not, nor have they ever, posed a measureable public safety risk in Ohio. The scare tactics and misrepresentations espoused by the HSUS must not be allowed to go unchallenged by the truth.

Please click the link to contact Governor Kasich and let your voice be heard: usark.org/campaign.php?id=21

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