California exotic animal laws are strict and unique

California exotic animal laws served as an example for an executive order signed Friday by Ohio Gov. John Kasich after more than 50 animals were set loose there last month.

On Oct. 18 a sanctuary owner opened all the cages on his property and killed himself. Lions, tigers, monkeys and more ran wild for several days in Zanesville, Ohio.

After police killed nearly all the animals, residents urged Kasich to immediately ban the private ownership of such animals to prevent future disasters.

Owning exotic animals has been outlawed in California for nearly 80 years and law enforcement officials said that the laws, which each pertain to certain types of animals, are some of the strictest in the country.

“The department makes every effort that we possibly can to keep non-native species out of California,” said Andrew Hughan, spokesman for the California Fish and Game Department, which is charged with enforcement of the bans.

In California, as well as 19 other states, there is an all-out ban on private ownership of exotic animals, which are classified as large cats, wolves, bears, reptiles and most non-human primates. Nine additional states have partial bans.

In addition, California bans dozens of species of birds, rodents, fish and forest animals, according to Born Free USA, a national animal advocacy group.

Although California’s laws are the most comprehensive in the country there are occasionally problems with illegally owned animals, Hughan said.

According to Born Free USA, California fares well compared to other states in the number of incidents. There have been 73 reported cases of escaped exotic animals in California since 1990. Florida, the state with the highest incident rate, has had 207 reported cases in that time.

Most reports are limited to sightings or escape of exotic animals but there have been four people killed by these animals in the state since 1990, according to database run by the organization.

Most recently, a Siberian tiger escaped from the San Francisco Zoo in 2007 and killed a visitor and mauled two others before being fatally shot by police.

Aside from zoos, the largest contingent of exotic animals in California is the entertainment industry.

Several different companies in Southern California keep exotic animals for use in movies, commercials and private events. Hollywood Animals in Santa Clarita, 20 miles north of Los Angeles, has been in business for more than 30 years and owns around 20 exotic animals.

In complying with the fish and game department’s standards, Hollywood Animals has an approved veterinarian who visits about 10 times a year to inspect the animals, said Eric Weld, one the company’s owners.

“Officers from fish and game come around occasionally too, because I know them and we have a good working relationship,” Weld said.

There is a very rigorous application process in place for companies like Hollywood Animals that includes proof of training and work experience with animals, inspection of facilities and proof of permit by the United States Department of Agriculture.

“We, along with the federal government, keep a very close eye on these folks,” Hughan said. “Once in a while we get somebody who we have to write a citation for, but it’s pretty rare. They get inspected early and often.”