Here is the text of the newly-written ban on exotic animals in the state of Ohio. This ban is already law, but it was passed by emergency order of the outgoing governor and as such expires on April 6. The incoming governor is leaning towards making it permanent, but has indicated he's willing to consider other action.

Please take the time to read this carefully, and, if you're in Ohio, please use the contact information included at the end to make your feelings known.

Those of us with pit bulls are well aware of just how bad the state of Ohio can be on writing sensible, humane legislation about animals. Please don't assume this problem will go away on its own; your action is, your input, is needed. This is especially critical for anyone doing rescue or public education for these species.

Here is the text of the current law:

From the Register of Ohio, Filed on January 6, 2011

(3) Class reptilia:
(a) Order crocodylia: all species of alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and
gharials.
(b) Order squamata:
(i) Family atractaspidae: all species, such as mole vipers.
(ii) Family boidae: anaconda (Genus eunectes), Burmese python
(Python molurus), reticulated python (Python reticulatus),
amethystine python (Morelia amethistinus), scrub python
(Morelia kinghorni), northern African python (Python sebae),
southern African python (Python natalensis).
(iii) Family colubridae: boomslang (Dispholidus typus), twig snake
(Genus thelotornis).
(iv) Family elapidae: all species, such as cobra, mamba, and coral
snakes.
(v) Family hydrophiidae: all species, such as sea snakes.
(vi) Family viperidae: all species, such as rattlesnakes, pit vipers, and
puff adders.

John Kasich, the new governor, will take office Monday January 10. What better way to welcome him to work with letters and emails on this topic? There is currently no email address listed for him, however, a contact form for the Governer can be found here.

Email is great, but letters sent via the postal service make a far larger impact, so do both.

Letters should be mailed to:

Governor John Kasich
Governor's Office
Riffe Center, 30th Floor
77 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215-6108

You can also call and fax as well at these numbers:

Phone: (614) 466-3555
Fax: (614) 466-9354

If this draconic ban becomes permanent, it will cause major issues nationwide as we continue to try to fight to keep our reptiles. One state enacting such a ban will only help bolster national legislation. Ohio residents, please act now.