Ohio judge says state will keep seized tigers, lion until appeals court weighs in

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Ohio will continue to keep 11 exotic animals it seized from a sanctuary last week until a state appeals court weighs in on the case.

After initially ordering that the seized animals be returned, a northern Ohio judge on Tuesday said jurisdiction in the case now lies with an appeals court following the state's challenge to his order.

Ohio's agriculture department removed the animals last week after denying the owner a permit. The agency says cages and fencing at the property near Toledo could allow some of them to escape. The state also says conditions at the animal sanctuary were inhumane.

The owner didn't appear in court for the brief hearing Tuesday.

Ohio began requiring owners to register exotic animals after a suicidal man released dozens of animals in 2011.