Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, released the following statement in response to news reports that an Ohio man died after being mauled by a bear:
“The tragic death of an Ohio man, who died after being attacked by a captive bear, demonstrates the need for immediate action to prohibit private ownership of dangerous wild animals in the state. The Humane Society of the United States commends Governor Strickland’s commitment to address this issue by executive order. Other states have taken action, but Ohio has been one of the outliers, putting both public safety and the welfare of the animals at risk.”
A list of recent exotic animal incidents in Ohio is available here.
Facts:
- On June 30, an agreement was reached among Gov. Ted Strickland, Ohio agricultural leaders, The HSUS, Ohioans for Humane Farms and other groups to adopt reforms on a range of issues including farm animal welfare, puppy mills, cockfighting and private ownership of exotic animals such as bears, lions, tigers, primates, large constricting and venomous snakes, crocodiles and alligators.
- The agreement put a hold on a planned factory farming initiative on the fall ballot.
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