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Ohio Seizing Tigers, Other Animals from Farm
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – The state has moved to seize tigers and other animals from a northeast Ohio farm, saying it hasn’t met the requirements of a law cracking down on exotic animal ownership.
A spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture says it took action Wednesday against Stump Hill Farm in Massillon after the facility’s attempts at accreditation that would make it exempt from the law stalled. Spokeswoman Erica Hawkins says officials expected to find five tigers, two pumas, two baboons and one chimpanzee at the property.
The farm promotes itself as a nonprofit education center and has dozens of other creatures not covered by the state law on dangerous wild animals. Owner Cyndi Huntsman argues that her facility is exempt from the exotic animal requirements as a licensed educational and rehabilitation facility.