• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / News / Iowa official says Ohio type animal release unlikely here

Iowa official says Ohio type animal release unlikely here

October 21, 2011 By Matt Kelley

An Iowa official says it’s unlikely an incident like the Zanesville, Ohio wild animal massacre could happen in Iowa. Assistant State Veterinarian Randy Wheeler says the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Iowa Ag Department have much more stringent laws that prohibit ownership of dangerous wild animals unless it’s a zoo or wildlife sanctuary.

There are only a handful of such facilities in Iowa and they are inspected at least once a year. “They are under the scrutiny of the USDA and then if we get a complaint or a concern, we collaborate and work with the USDA to make sure conditions fit the standard of care and other regulations,” Wheeler said.

There are exemptions for someone who owned the exotic animal before 2007, but Wheeler says they must follow a long list of restrictions.

The owner must have a veterinarian’s statement, pay a fee, provide liability insurance and post a warning sign. The owner must also be at least 18 years of age and cannot have a felony on their record.”

Wheeler says because the Ohio man had federal charges against him, he would not have been able to have such a facility in Iowa. Nearly 50 animals – including lions, tigers and bears – were shot to death after the man opened the animal’s cages and then took his own life. Currently, Ohio has regulations on breeders or exhibitors that require owners to have a health certificate for each animal and they need to have a certificate of inspection by a veterinarian.

There is no mention about how often the facilities are required to be inspected.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News, Outdoors

Featured Stories

Final employee who was there at the launch of the Iowa Lottery to retire

No more USPS mail in Iowa prisons; inmates to get copies of mail

State officials warn of influx of fake prescription drugs laced with fentanyl

‘Brain-eating amoeba’ discovered in Taylor County lake

Cedar Rapids therapist’s relationship with student leads to years in prison

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa State basketball builds on its identity

Vance provides leadership for ISU defense

Knee injury sidelines Iowa’s Feuerbach

Iowa State’s McDonald has unfinished business

Hawkeyes open fall camp

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC