It may not have been lawmakers’ intent, but a recently introduced proposal in Missouri would establish an unprecedented prohibition against countless common pets, according to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington).
Under House Bill 1847 and Senate Bill 1032, a wild animal is defined as “any live animal that is wild by nature, whether bred in the wild or in captivity, and whether or not native to Missouri.” Although companion animals are explicitly exempt, the bill’s definition of “companion animals” does not include birds or reptiles per se, said PIJAC.

The bills not only establish a general prohibition against the ownership, possession and transfer of birds and reptiles, but lists a number of specific species, including parrots, parakeets, finches, doves and pigeons, and canaries.

Specifically prohibited reptile species encompass all reptiles that are venomous by nature as determined by the Missouri Department of Agriculture, including but not limited to Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, green anacondas, yellow anacondas, Indian pythons, Asiatic monitors, Nile monitors, white throat monitors, black throat monitors, crocodile monitors and any hybrids thereof.

The bills also allow a prohibition by rule against “any other animal deemed to be a wild animal.” Such additional listings likely would entail a formal rulemaking process, according to PIJAC.

The proposed bill would allow for certain limited exemptions, including owners of listed species at the time the bill took effect. Those individuals and entities eligible for exemption would have to apply to the Department of Agriculture within 60 days and obtain a possession permit, and meet certain other requirements. Wild animals kept without a permit would be subject to seizure.