Where to begin? Ohio Senate Bill 310 was passed and signed into law. Many parties were involved in its passage, including HSUS, Jack Hannah, and USARK. Presently this law pertains primarily to large constrictor snakes, venomous snakes, crocodilians and a whole Noah’s Ark full of other animals.

The day before Ohioans were to be forced to comply with this law, a lawsuit was filed against the Ohio Department of Agriculture and its director, David T. Daniels. In case you were so inclined to look, it is Case Number 12-1010 filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division. A judge granted a temporary restraining order.

If this law is not defeated in court, you can be sure HSUS and others will push (read as paying off legislators!) and succeed in passing banning legislation throughout the United States. We are already seeing this happening in Virginia and Nevada. Now is not the time to continue bickering amongst you. I have no animals covered under SB 310. However, contained within the law are provisions to add any other animals as legislators see fit. You can be sure other animals will be added.

Of course this type of lawsuit is VERY expensive. Now is the time for every reptile keeper to ante up and pay up to protect your rights. Contributions can be made to the Ohio Association of Animal Owners (www.oaao.us) or Herp Lobby (www.herplobby.com). Both have PayPal accounts.

December 10, 2012 is the hearing date full of expert witnesses (who will need to be flown in = additional expense) to hear the merits of the case and how to proceed. Obviously time is of the essence. If there is no money the lawsuit will not proceed. Do the right thing to protect your ability to keep your pets. Defeat Ohio’s SB 310. Act today and contribute to the effort! No donation is too small (or too big!!!)
Ohio Reptile Ban (SB 310)

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