Ohio board to discuss rules for exotic animals

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A newly formed board created by Ohio's law on exotic animals planned to meet Wednesday to discuss caging standards and requirements for the dangerous wildlife.

The Dangerous and Restricted Animals Advisory Board is expected to set temporary housing rules for regulated animals, such as alligators, cougars and lions. A legislative panel would have to approve the rules.

The advisory board will decide the proper size of the animals' cages and how they should be maintained, among other requirements.

More permanent standards will be put in place when new state permits are required in 2014.

Owners must register their exotic animals with state officials by Nov. 5. If they don't, owners could face a first-degree misdemeanor charge for the first offense, and a fifth-degree felony for each subsequent offense.