State ex rel. Dir., Ohio Dept. of Agriculture v. Forchione (Slip Opinion)

{¶ 1} In 2012, the Ohio legislature enacted the Dangerous Wild Animals and Restricted Snakes Act, R.C. Chapter 935, to regulate the acquisition, possession, care, sale, and transfer of “dangerous wild animals.” Under that statutory scheme, no person may possess a dangerous wild animal after January 1, 2014, without a permit from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, unless the owner falls under one of the statute’s exemptions. R.C. 935.02(A) and (B), 935.05(A), 935.07(A), and 935.101(A).

{¶ 2} Intervening respondent Cynthia Huntsman is an owner of multiple species of wild animals that are…