The state deadline is November 5.
Ohio officials are ramping up their efforts to reach out to owners who now have to register their dangerous, wild animals with the state.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture says one person has registered since the law took effect a couple of weeks ago, on Sept. 5. That person, who lives in the Dayton-area, registered a puma.
Three others tried to register their animals but had incomplete forms because their animals didn't have microchips containing identification.
"It's not a voluntary process if you have a dangerous wild animal. If you do not register them by Nov. 5, you could be charged with a misdemeanor," said Erica Pitchford-Hawkins, with the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
It's unknown exactly how many Ohioans have such creatures, which is part of the state's challenge. The agency says it plans to work with veterinarians and an owners group to spread the word about the Nov. 5 registration deadline.
Efforts to regulate dangerous wildlife took on new urgency last fall, when a suicidal owner near Zanesville released dozens of exotic animals, including black bears, lions and Bengal tigers.
