Proposed Indiana
Law Would Ban Possession of Exotic Animals
Many species of animals—including a number of species
commonly kept as pets—would be banned under a bill introduced
in the Indiana House of Representatives.
House Bill 1472 establishes a list of prohibited animals
that includes broad categories and ambiguous language, according
to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington). For
example, “snakes that have the potential to exceed 6
feet in length” might or might not include any number
of species, depending on whom you ask, PIJAC said.
Possession of prohibited species, other than those that are
grandfathered in, would be banned except for certain exempt
entities—zoos and wildlife sanctuaries, for example.
Persons who owned a prohibited animal prior to July 2007 would
be required to obtain an annual permit.
BANNED IN INDIANA?
Animals that would
be prohibited under Indiana House Bill 1472 include:
• Except for domesticated and feral cats, all species
in the family Felidae, including hybrids.
• Except for domesticated dogs, all species in the family
Canidae, including hybrids.
• All species in the family Ursidae (bears).
• Venomous reptiles.
• Crocodilians.
• Constrictor snakes that have the potential to exceed
six feet in length.
• Nonhuman primates.
• Kinkajous and coatimundis.
• Civet cats, genets and binturongs.
• Elephants.
• Hippopotamuses.
• Kangaroos.
• Rhinoceroses.
• Wolverines.
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The bill was assigned to the Committee on Natural Resources.
[April 2007 PET AGE]
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