Lodi couple argues toothless black bear doesn’t need permit

A judge will hear arguments about whether to dismiss a civil case filed by a Lodi couple who want to keep their toothless, 41-year-old black bear despite not getting a required permit from the state.

Jeffrey and Debra Gillium have argued their caged male bear, named Archie, is old and unlikely to escape. They say they weren’t adequately notified about the permit law and that moving or tranquilizing him would threaten his life.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture says their permit application was submitted Feb. 27, more than a year after the state deadline. It has argued that the bear wasn’t registered and micro-chipped as required and that the civil matter should be dismissed.

A magistrate has scheduled a hearing in the case on May 15.