Update: Unfortunately, this legislation did not make its way through the entire legislative process prior to adjournment.
Bill Description: If passed, this legislation would strengthen existing laws to ban the future private possession of dangerous wild animals as “pets,” including lions and other non-domesticated cats, bears, wolves and other wild canines, nonhuman primates, and crocodiles. Persons possessing a dangerous wild animal prior to the effective date of the act would be allowed to keep the animal pursuant to an existing permit. Possessors of these animals would not be allowed to breed the animals. The bill does not apply to accredited zoos, wildlife rehabilitators, accredited wildlife sanctuaries, and circuses. Under existing law, these animals (with the exception of crocodiles) can be possessed if a permit is obtained.
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Dangerous wild animals belong in their natural habitat and not in the hands of private individuals as “pets.” By their very nature, these animals are potentially dangerous and do not adjust well to a captive environment. Across the country, many incidents have been reported where exotic animals held in private hands have attacked humans and other animals, or have escaped from their enclosures and freely roamed the community. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all oppose private possession of certain dangerous wild animals.