I do believe that with the hots that there should be a permit/license of some kind. This I know from personal expericence as my stupid ex-husband was 19 years old and had a rattlesnake and a white-lipped tree viper (among other non-venomous constrictors). Both which were not securely contained in plastic boxes without a lock or even a latch. I feel that stupid people like this should have to be watched over. What if the snake got out and went into the neighbor's apartment and bite someone? The neighbor sure isn't expecting to be bit by a rattlesnake in Ohio. I am not saying that people shouldn't be allowed to have them, I believe everyone should have the right to do whatever and have whatever that they want (as long as it isn't hurting anyone else). So I feel that these should have paperwork required for them and have an inspector check them out.
As for the bears and such in Ohio. There have always been people in Ohio with bears and big cats. I knew a guy that used to keep his big cats in the house with him and sleep with them in his bed. I believe a tiger and some other things I forget. He had pictures to prove it ha ha. As for the bears, I've driven past people's houses where they keep bears in cages in their front yard. It is pretty normal here. There is a guy in Xenia that has bears outside like that. I think they did used to get out too, now that I think about it.