[REXANO] OH-Working theory suggests Gahanna 'lion' was a pet

**Raven** · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 217

I guess Oh exotic ‘ban’ state bill HB 45 I still active, right?

Why am I even asking such a stupid question…

Z

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http://www.thisweeknews.com/?sec=home&story=sites/twn/content/pool/exclusives/2008/january/010808-GHN-News-Lion.html&tab=tab1

Gahanna lion
Working theory suggests Gahanna 'lion' was a pet

Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008

By GAYLON VICKERS
Enterprise Staff Writer

Gahanna police officials have developed a working theory about the origin of the elusive Gahanna lion, first seen May 3, 2004.

The theory: It's a pet.

"There are a number of people out there who have exotic animals as pets," deputy police Chief Ken Bell told The Enterprise recently.

In fact, Gahanna has evicted a pair of exotic cats, Bell said. This came up as police investigated the Gahanna lion.

"She (the owner) had a pair of cats that she kept in her residence," Bell said.

The city evicted the cats because it is against the city's code.

The city's civil code states, "It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to keep or maintain a wild animal, either inside or outside a structure, within the city."

According to the code, wild animal include poisonous snakes, bears, cheetahs, coyotes and coyote-dog hybrids, elephants, hyenas, jaguars, leopards, lions, lynxes, pumas, primates (including apes, monkeys, baboons, chimpanzees, gibbons, gorillas, orangutans, etc.), tigers, wolf-dog hybrids and wild cats, including the ocelot, margay, serval and leopard cat.

Gahanna code excludes circuses and pet stores from this regulation.

Although exotic animals in the city are prohibited, it may not be illegal to have one out in the township.

"When I was with the (Ohio State) Highway Patrol, there was a man in Fairfield County who took all the deer killed in roadway accidents to feed to his lion," Bell said.

Jefferson Township zoning inspector Ron Anderson said he doesn't have people ask him too often it they may keep a lion on their farm but added, "We do not have any language in the township zoning code that would prevent you from having your run-of-the-mill lion."

Ellen Walker, Jefferson Township administrator, elaborated.

"In Ohio, townships have to comply with state law unless they are designated a Limited Home Rule Township," Walker said. Jefferson doesn't have home rule; the state law doesn't prohibit exotic animals; and if those who live in the township could keep a lion, tiger, elephant or other exotic animal.

"We have llamas, horses and other animals out here," Anderson said.

One resident keeps a shelter for abused monkeys, he said.

"We have never had any complaints about it," he said.

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