Ohio helping relocate Zanesville exotic animals affected by law to Colorado

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The state of Ohio is helping a woman find a new out-of-state home for eight exotic animals because she can't meet the requirements of the new law that sets stricter guidelines for keeping them.

State agriculture department spokeswoman Erica Pitchford Hawkins said the state is assisting the unnamed Perry County woman with relocating the four lions and four bears to a sanctuary in Colorado. She said the state is not bearing any of the cost of the transfer.

At least some of the animals previously belonged to a suicidal Zanesville man who released dozens of exotic animals from his property last fall.

That high-profile incident prompted a new Ohio law cracking down on ownership of exotics. It took effect Sept. 5.