Is It Legal to Feed Squirrels in Ohio

John Coffman, the state wildlife commissioner for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources` wildlife division, answers a few questions about wildlife feeding. Feeding squirrels can cause a lot of feces to accumulate in the park, making it unhygienic for families with young children, as squirrel droppings contain pathogens that can cause flu-like illnesses. If you don`t feed backyard birds or ducks at the local pond, you may be breaking the law by feeding wild animals. Even those who have been mutilated by illegally feeding wild animals have been prosecuted. Example: A Florida man who lost his hand to an alligator while feeding in 2012 was also charged with a misdemeanor for illegally feeding the predator. Interestingly, some gray squirrels are black, although most – as the name suggests – are gray. You could get in trouble if you get caught with a squirrel you didn`t acquire legally, although it`s likely you`ll just have to hand over the animal. In some circumstances, you may face legal consequences, so familiarize yourself with local laws. Thresher squirrels often feed on the ground, and since they are large squirrels, they can easily outdo or displace other species of squirrels. They are excellent climbers and jumpers and very popular with most people.

Red squirrels are considerably smaller than many other squirrel species and are only 11 to 14 inches tall. They are loud gossip and love to take control of bird feeders and chew seeds. « The person who is not there to feed the animals now associates animal food with them. They`re going to steal things from the picket table and from the bench, so there`s no rule against that, especially here at the Washington courthouse in Eyman Park, but there are issues with these animals getting used to humans, » Coffman said. According to Rule 1501:31 – 15-03, Wildlife Control harassment prohibits the capture or removal of wild animals from the wild. That said, Ohio`s laws aren`t as clear as they are in other states, and at one point it was legal to own a squirrel in Ohio. Be sure to learn about squirrels and make sure you can take care of them before adopting them. You ask for pets, and you won`t be able to release or resell them if it turns out to be too much for you.

They are very sociable with other squirrels, but people rarely see them because they are nocturnal and do not interact with them often. That hasn`t stopped people from popping up in city parks to give wild animals snacks. Last May, the Record Herald reported that people showed up at Eyman Park at Washington Court House and gave peanuts to the squirrels. Human food is generally not safe for wildlife, according to the ODNR. The first of the four squirrels is the American red squirrel. This rust-colored little guy may be familiar to you, with his reddish fur and white belly. Red squirrels have a surprisingly low life expectancy of only 2.3 years, although the lucky ones can live about 8 years. If you want a squirrel as a pet in Ohio, you have to go through a breeder. Never take squirrels out of the wild and never accept squirrels offered on free sites, social media or by friends. Some cities may have ordinances that prevent bird feeders, while others may impose fines on owners whose feeders are not legal.

You`re unlikely to be arrested for illegal bird or squirrel feeders, but you can expect hundreds of dollars in fines. If you want to own a legal squirrel in Ohio, you must purchase one from a registered breeder. There are no laws that cover the removal of live squirrels from the wild, either because they are injured or as a result of hunting. Discussing a wildlife sighting or feeding situation can be awkward because your neighbor feels friendly or helpful. Be careful not to break the laws if you want to talk to them in person. To be sure, you can call or email them if possible. Politely explain your concerns and listen to their reasoning. Neighbors said Richardson went to their property to leave peanuts for local squirrels. Animals attracted to the nuts then ruined gardens, chewed car cables and clogged air conditioners with peanuts, according to the report.

If your neighbor refuses to stop, you can pull out and let officials take over. You have no legal responsibility to warn your neighbor that you will involve the police or wildlife organizations. However, as a courtesy, you can tell them that if they continue to feed wild animals, you must report it for your safety and that of the animals. According to APNews, the reason for this is that there is no state law governing how wild squirrels can be registered. Anyone who wants to own a squirrel in Ohio may wonder if they can legally do it and how to get one, if so. Squirrels are illegal as pets in much of the United States of America, but what about Ohio? Most states also have specific laws regarding « big game » mammals. While feeding wild animals isn`t illegal where you live, the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn`t recommend it for animal and human safety. In general, feeding wild animals is illegal under animal harassment laws. « Harassment » is legally defined as any act that disrupts an animal`s « normal behaviour, » which includes trapping, petting, or feeding most animals.

Make sure they have a good reputation, that the animals are healthy and well cared for, and that you see all relevant documentation to show that they are working legally. You should also check if you need documents to prove that the squirrel comes from a breeder, not from nature.