Hetrick v. Ohio Dept. of Agriculture

Introduction

{¶ 1} In these consolidated, administrative appeals, the Ohio Department of Agriculture ("ODA") appeals two judgments by the Wood County Court of Common Pleas. In each, the court found that the agency improperly denied a dangerous wild animal permit to the appellee, Kenneth Hetrick.

{¶ 2} Hetrick applied for two distinct types of permits under Ohio's Dangerous Wild Animals and Restricted Snakes Act, R.C. 935.01 et seq. : a rescue facility permit (case No. WD-16-061) and a wildlife shelter permit (case No. WD-16-062). Following administrative hearings, the director of the ODA denied…