Bill Description:
This bill gives the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the authority to regulate exotic animal ownership. Anyone who owns an exotic pet will be required to have a permit.[teaserbreak]
Background:
In July, 2015, a court ruled that the DNR did not have the authority to impose rules, restrictions, or permits on legally-owned wild animals because the wild animal possession permit that the DNR was enforcing was not in statute passed by legislators. This bill would create that necessary statute, thereby officially giving that authority to the DNR.
Take Action:
Indiana residents, contact your state senator and urge him or her to support S.B. 195!
Read the full text and follow its progress here.