Proposed law would prohibit private ownership of exotic pets like Earl Township couple’s black bear

Barry Hoch stood close to the cage, holding a bunch of green grapes with one hand and poking a piece of the fruit through the chain links with the other.

The bear stuck out its tongue, greedily accepted the food, and grunted for more.

“Here you go. Here you go,” the 65-year-old Hoch cooed to the hulking mammal.

For Hoch, it’s just an everyday task. He and his wife, Barbara, have kept Jakie, a 350-pound female American black bear, in their Earl Township backyard for 25 years. Read More →