Exotic animals legal in city until 1994

CINCINNATI - Exotic animals were banned in Cincinnati in 1994. Until then, at least two residents had lions in their homes.

A 10-month-old lion named Sierra lived on Downing Street in Hyde Park until the ban went into effect. After that she was moved to a sanctuary in Knoxville, Tenn.

"She wouldn't harm anybody. They say they have an instinct to kill, but if they haven't been taught to kill, they haven't had to fight for their food, they'll be alright," Sierra's owner told 9 News in 1994.

Another lion lived in North College Hill in the early 1990s.

Since then they've been banned in Cincinnati, but not other parts of the state.

"If you have the dollars you can buy one," said Harold Dates, President of the Cincinnati SPCA.

Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland put an executive order in place banning the sale and possession of exotic animals. That order expired in March, once again making it legal to own exotic animals in Ohio.

"Animals like lions, tigers, giraffes, alligators, there is no permitting process at all," Dates said.

Dates hopes what happened in Zanesville will prompt lawmakers to take a hard look at changing the laws on owning exotic animals in Ohio.