Ohio prepares for unknown with exotic pet rules - 21 News Now ...

• Ohio coroner says toddler dead at least 48 hours

  Ohio coroner says toddler dead at least 48 hours

  An attorney for a baby sitter of a 1-year-old boy found dead in a Cincinnati apartment says his client gave the toddler ibuprofen and put him to bed after he fell down some steps.More >>An attorney for a baby sitter of a 1-year-old boy found dead in a Cincinnati apartment says his client gave the toddler ibuprofen and put him to bed after he fell down some steps.More >>

• Flooding closes roads, swamps cars in central Pa.

  Flooding closes roads, swamps cars in central Pa.

  Some central Pennsylvania residents are cleaning up after heavy rain caused flash floods that closed roads, flooded basements and swamped cars, prompting some rescues.More >>Some central Pennsylvania residents are cleaning up after heavy rain caused flash floods that closed roads, flooded basements and swamped cars, prompting some rescues.More >>

• Fire at Ohio church rekindles before services

  Fire at Ohio church rekindles before services

  A fire that damaged a western Ohio church last week rekindled ahead of a planned morning service by its members.More >>A fire that damaged a western Ohio church last week rekindled ahead of a planned morning service by its members.More >>

• Family of 4 rescued in Ohio after boat capsized

  Family of 4 rescued in Ohio after boat capsized

  Authorities say four boaters were rescued from Lake Erie and hoisted up a 70-foot cliff in Ohio after their boat capsized in rough water conditions.More >>Authorities say four boaters were rescued from Lake Erie and hoisted up a 70-foot cliff in Ohio after their boat capsized in rough water conditions.More >>

• Ohio soldier remembered through fitness event

  Ohio soldier remembered through fitness event

  Friends and family members of an Ohio soldier killed in the line of duty have paid tribute to him by enduring a grueling course of exercises that he liked to do.More >>Friends and family members of an Ohio soldier killed in the line of duty have paid tribute to him by enduring a grueling course of exercises that he liked to do.More >>

• Pa. woman, 90, rescued from burning house

  Pa. woman, 90, rescued from burning house

  A good Samaritan has rescued a 90-year-old woman from the second floor of her burning home in Chester.More >>A good Samaritan has rescued a 90-year-old woman from the second floor of her burning home in Chester.More >>

• OH police arrest baby sitter of child found dead

  OH police arrest baby sitter of child found dead

  Police say a baby sitter for a one-year-old boy found dead in a Cincinnati apartment has been arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.More >>Police say a baby sitter for a one-year-old boy found dead in a Cincinnati apartment has been arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.More >>

• Buoy marks 148-year-old shipwreck in Lake Erie

  Buoy marks 148-year-old shipwreck in Lake Erie

  A ship that went down in a storm on Lake Erie in 1864 near Cleveland now has a buoy marking the wreck.More >>A ship that went down in a storm on Lake Erie in 1864 near Cleveland now has a buoy marking the wreck.More >>

• Man drowns in Ohio lake; not wearing life jacket

  Man drowns in Ohio lake; not wearing life jacket

  Authorities are reminding Ohioans to wear life jackets around water following the drowning death of a fisherman in southwest Ohio.More >>Authorities are reminding Ohioans to wear life jackets around water following the drowning death of a fisherman in southwest Ohio.More >>

• Police ID twins, 1? , apparently killed by mother

  Police ID twins, 1? , apparently killed by mother

  Officials have identified 18-month-old twins they say appear to have been suffocated by their mother, who may have tried to kill her 4-year-old daughter and herself inside the family's Philadelphia home.More >>Officials have identified 18-month-old twins they say appear to have been suffocated by their mother, who may have tried to kill her 4-year-old daughter and herself inside the family's Philadelphia home.More >>

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio officials are preparing to impose new rules on owners of exotic animals without knowing exactly how many lions, leopards, bears and other creatures live in the state.

That's because until Ohio's governor signs the new regulations - expected soon - the state has among the nation's weakest restrictions on exotic pets.

The state Legislature cleared a bill last week to immediately ban people from buying new dangerous animals. Once in effect, owners would have 60 days to register their creatures with the state.

The state's veterinarian says Ohio is dealing with the unknown, and it'll take time to find out how many animals are out there.

Efforts to regulate dangerous wildlife took on new urgency in October, when a suicidal owner released dozens of exotic animals.

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