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BAZETTA -- Township officials are working on a formal agreement with wildlife exhibitor BobKats Lil Critters after questions were raised about liability and public interaction with the animals.
Trustee Chairman Michael Hovis said BobKats provided its licensing, insurance and other information to the township, which forwarded the material to its insurance company.
The insurer recommended that the township have an agreement prepared by its attorney outlining the terms under which the organization could participate in township events.
Hovis said he will cover that expense himself.
"I am personally paying the attorney bill," Hovis said, saying there will be "No cost to the taxpayers" for that work.
The issue arose after resident Robyn Hineman questioned trustees about potential liability and asked them to verify BobKats' insurance, licensing and safety procedures before allowing the organization to participate in future township events.
BobKats representatives said they have since provided the township with all requested paperwork and information and noted that the organization recently passed an unannounced USDA inspection.
They also offered clarification about photographs circulated online from previous events that showed members of the public interacting with animals. BobKats said those events took place on private property rather than at public events.
The organization said its policy has since changed and members of the public are no longer permitted to have direct contact with the animals.
Trustees voted in July to allow BobKats to participate in township park events, with Hovis and Trustee Joel Davis voting in favor and Trustee Bob McBride opposed. McBride has cited concerns about both liability and the use of wild animals in public exhibitions.