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Kasich To Sign Exotic Animal Legislation
By: Associated Press
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Ohio's widely watched new regulations on exotic animals are scheduled to be signed into law on Tuesday.
Gov. John Kasich's office says he plans to sign the legislation at a Statehouse ceremony. Celebrity zookeeper Jack Hanna is slated to appear at the signing, along with state lawmakers and other officials.
Regulatory efforts took on new urgency in October, when a suicidal owner released dozens of exotic animals from his farm near Zanesville.
The measure, which takes effect in three months, would ban people from buying new dangerous exotic animals.
Current owners could keep their creatures by registering their animals with the state 60 days after the bill takes effect, obtaining a new state-issued permit by 2014 and showing they can adhere to strict new standards.