Ohio bill to regulate exotic animals not yet ready

An Ohio lawmaker says his proposal to regulate exotic animals in the state is not ready to be introduced this week.

Republican state Sen. Troy Balderson of Zanesville sent a letter to fellow senators last week, asking them to sign on to his bill. He had planned to introduce it Tuesday and hold hearings this week.

But Balderson told The Associated Press on Tuesday that parts of the legislation are still being worked on. He couldn't say when the bill would be introduced or when hearings would be scheduled.

Efforts to strengthen the state's law took on new urgency in October when authorities were forced to kill 48 wild animals — including endangered Bengal tigers — after their owner freed them from his Zanesville farm and then committed suicide.

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