ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide. Founded in 1992, ANIMAL PEOPLE has no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. |
This site built and maintained by: GREANVILLE ASSOCIATES and CRESCENT COMMUNICATIONS • Rev. 12.1.05 Copyright ANIMAL PEOPLE, INC. 1992--2005
 |
 |
ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS
|
MONTH: JUNE 2006
Bear escape, mauling, & deadly fire may bring tougher Ohio exotic regs
CLEVELAND––Ohio state senator Tim Grendell (R-Geauga County) on May 26, 2006 pledged to introduce a bill to increase restrictions on keeping exotic pets and wildlife. “State law now requires wild-animal breeders to obtain a license and keep records, but does not require cages,” observed Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter John Horton.
Two incidents in three days may at last have brought legislative attention to the hazards of keeping exotic and wild animals, more than 22 years after the first such incident involving one of the keepers involved.
On May 22, 2006 a 500-pound black bear escaped from a cage at the Grand River Fur Exchange in Hartsgrove Township, one of 57 businesses in Ohio that hold permits to breed a total of 137 captive black bears. The bear mauled Rachel Supplee, 36.
“The victim was attacked in her home when her 15-year-old daughter, Daphne, opened a door to let the family dog out,” reported Ashtabula Star-Beacon staff writer Doris Cook. “The bear stormed past the daughter, and headed for the mother. Daphne probably saved her mother’s life when she began tossing meat to the bear. The injured woman managed to get out of the house. According to the sheriff’s report, the daughter escaped through a window to call 911.”
Grand River Fur Exchange owner Mark Gutman later shot the bear.
“Gutman’s license applications shows he had 692 animals: 322 foxes, 150 coyotes, 12 bobcats, seven wolf-hybrids, four black bears, two mountain lions and a lynx,” said Associated Press.
Two nights later, Horton reported, “A black bear cub and two tiger cubs died inside their cages as flames swept through the Summit County home of wild animal breeder Lorenza Pearson, but did not damage the nearby pens of [his] L&L Exotic Animal Farm, fire Chief Todd Chambers said. State records show Pearson held eight black bears on the property,” Horton wrote.
“Pearson’s son said 10 large cats–– including lions and tigers––also share the property. A pending USDA case against Pearson claims numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act at his Copley Township farm between May 1998 and November 2001,” Horton wrote. “In 2004, officials removed bears, tigers and lions––from Pearson’s farm after a judge deemed the operation a public nuisance. The issue involved the handling of animal waste.
“In 1983,” Horton added, “a 250-pound Bengal tiger killed Pearson’s 2-year-old son inside the family’s home.”