(Stony Ridge, OH) A Wood County man heads to an appeals court today for the right to see his seized exotic animals.
Kenny Hetrick of Tiger Ridge Exotics just wants to visit his lions, tigers, a bear, and others, which are spread out at animal sanctuaries all over the country.
The Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals granted a request by Hetrick to visit his animals and have a veterinarian examine them. But Hetrick claims the state department of agriculture has done nothing to facilitate a visit since, including a trip to Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida.
There's an evidentiary hearing later today where Ohio ag department officials could be held in contempt of court. The case has been tied up in court since state inspectors seized the animals for lack of a license.