COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Four owners of exotic animals in
Ohio are suing the state’s agriculture department and its director over a
new law regulating the dangerous wildlife.
The owners claim the
law threatens their property rights and freedom of speech. They say it
forces them to join private associations and possibly give up their
animals without compensation. They also contend it unlawfully forces
them to perform surgical procedures on the animals.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in Columbus federal court.
Under
the law, owners face a Monday deadline to register their wildlife. If
they don’t, they could face a first-degree misdemeanor charge for a
first offense, and a fifth-degree felony for any subsequent offenses.
Owners also are required to microchip their animals so they can be identified if they get lost or escape.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Four owners of exotic animals in
Ohio are suing the state’s agriculture department and its director over a
new law regulating the dangerous wildlife.
The owners claim the
law threatens their property rights and freedom of speech. They say it
forces them to join private associations and possibly give up their
animals without compensation. They also contend it unlawfully forces
them to perform surgical procedures on the animals.
The lawsuit was filed Friday in Columbus federal court.
Under
the law, owners face a Monday deadline to register their wildlife. If
they don’t, they could face a first-degree misdemeanor charge for a
first offense, and a fifth-degree felony for any subsequent offenses.
Owners also are required to microchip their animals so they can be identified if they get lost or escape.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.