In Wake of Ohio Tragedy, AVMA Calls on Governors to Restrict Private Ownership of Wild Animals

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has called on governors in seven states with lax laws to adopt stricter regulations restricting the private ownership of wild animals that pose a significant risk to animal and public health.  

On Oct. 18, the owner of an unregulated wildlife reserve in Ohio freed dozens of wild animals before killing himself. Forty-eight animals were killed by the sheriff's department.

Idaho, Alabama, North and South Carolina, Nevada, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have been identified as having lax regulations on the ownership of wild animals. Governors in all seven states received a letter from the AVMA urging stricter control and offering expert assistance from the AVMA in crafting effective regulations.  

"Unfortunately, Ohio isn't alone. Many other states and even local governments don't pay enough attention to the consequences of vaguely worded regulations, and only realize the risk after safety or public health is compromised," says Dr. Rene A. Carlson, president of the AVMA.  "The AVMA has contacted the governors of these states to urge them to take necessary action to strengthen regulations protecting wild animals and public health in the hopes of averting another tragedy. Fortunately, the work to strengthen state controls on private ownership has already begun in Ohio."

Since 2006, the AVMA has urged lawmakers to limit or prohibit private ownership of wild animals that pose a significant risk to public health, domestic animal health, or the ecosystem (including the health of indigenous wild species), as well private ownership of wild species whose welfare is unacceptably compromised by being kept under such conditions.  The AVMA's policy on private ownership of wild animals can be found at http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/wild_animal_ownership.asp. To view the letters click here: http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/OwnershipWildAnimals.asp.

For more information, please visit www.avma.org.  

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. The year 2011 is being celebrated by veterinarians around the world as Vet2011, the 250th anniversary of the birth of veterinary medicine and education.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association