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BAZETTA -- In July, township trustees gave permission for a wildlife exhibitor to participate in township park events. It wasn't a unanimous decision, and at least one resident wants them to rethink it.
Robyn Hineman of Northland Drive raised concerns during Tuesday's trustees meeting about BobKats Lil Critters, questioning the potential liability of allowing members of the public to handle wild animals at township events.
Hineman asked trustees to make sure the exhibitor has appropriate insurance, licenses, vaccinations and permits and questioned what procedures would be followed if someone were bitten or scratched by an animal.
She pointed to a recent case in North Carolina in which three baby goats from a mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies, potentially exposing nearly 300 people who had contact with the animals.
Hineman also told trustees she was aware of incidents in which people had been scratched by animals during other exhibitions, including one she said involved a bobcat at the Cortland Street Fair.
Trustee Chairman Michael Hovis said the township would look into the concerns and discussed obtaining documentation and researching the requirements that apply to the exhibitor.
"I believe that we will look into it," Hovis said.
Trustees approved BobKats Lil Critters to participate in Bazetta Township Park community events in July, with Hovis and Trustee Joel Davis voting in favor and Trustee Bob McBride voting against it.
McBride raised liability concerns during that meeting and questioned whether the township could face a lawsuit if someone were injured. He also objected to bringing wild animals into the park.
"They're not pets. They're wild animals," McBride said during the July meeting.
McBride reiterated his opposition Tuesday.
"It's a liability that we just don't need," McBride said after Tuesday's meeting. "I voted against it in July and I still don't support it."
McBride said he hopes Hovis and Davis will reconsider their support for the wildlife exhibitor when the issue is revisited. In addition to his concerns about potential injuries and township liability, McBride said he opposes wild animals being bred and raised in captivity.
Hineman similarly questioned the exhibitor's role, telling trustees that BobKats is not a wildlife rehabilitation organization and raising concerns about the breeding and sale of wild animals. On the organization's Facebook page, it is identified as a "Native Ohio exotic animal breeder" that also offers Asian short-clawed otters and Eurasian eagle owls. The page indicates animals are available for sale.
Bob and Kathy of BobKats Lil Critters, who asked that only their first names be used, disputed the suggestion that members of the public are allowed to handle animals during their exhibits. They said the displays use cages, barriers and cones to keep visitors separated from the animals and that handlers remain with the animals at all times.
"There's no hands-on," Kathy said. "People don't touch."
She added that allowing people to interact with the animals in their care would expose the creatures to illness, infections and the possible transmission of disease from people to the animals. Owls, in particular, she said, are susceptible to human illnesses.
The couple said BobKats holds seven different state and federal licenses, undergoes ODNR and USDA inspections and carries insurance. Bob said the organization has never failed a state or federal inspection. The organization follows all federal and state laws when it comes to their animal sales, and none of their creatures are considered "Dangerous Wild Animals" that would trigger higher levels of licensure and insurance.
The couple also disputed Hineman's account of the bobcat incident. They said a bobcat kitten was present at one event, but a member of the public lunged toward the animal through the buffer areas in an attempt to pet it. According to BobKats, the handler -- not a member of the public -- received a small scratch.
They said BobKats has appeared at Mosquito Lake State Park for about four years and has provided roughly 200 programs there, generally at no charge to the park or sponsoring organization. They said the state park had copies of their licensing and other required paperwork and that they spoke with Bazetta trustees Tuesday morning about supplying whatever documentation the township requests.
Kathy said the group provides free educational displays at state and local parks, churches and veterans organizations to teach people about native wildlife, their habitats and how people should respond when encountering the animals in the wild.
Hineman urged trustees to investigate the vendor and obtain the appropriate documentation before allowing it to participate in future township events.
"I'm just asking you guys to use common sense," Hineman told trustees. "Protect the kids."