Lions and tigers and… snails. Oh my!

Should you be able to own a pet lion?  How about a python or a three-toed sloth?

Currently there’s nothing on the books in West Virginia that would stop you from possessing most any creature, unless it’s already prohibited by the federal government.

But that’s changing.  This year the state Legislature passed the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, designed to regulate the ownership of certain wild animals in the state. The law requires a permit at a cost of $100 for each animal.

West Virginia is one of the few states that does not have restrictions on wild animal ownership.  Lawmakers decided to push forward with a law after a bizarre tragedy in Ohio.

Three years ago, the owner of a private wildlife preserve near Zanesville released four dozen wild animals and then killed himself.  Fearing the tigers, lions and bears would terrorize the town, sheriff’s deputies killed them all.

State lawmakers were also motivated by concerns over how non-indigenous invasive species could spread disease or upset the ecosystem.  For example, neighboring Maryland has been battling the voracious Asian snakehead fish for over a decade.

Representatives of the state Department of Agriculture, Division of Natural Resources and Department of Health and Human Resources (who comprise the Dangerous Wild Animals Board) have come up with a proposed list of banned animals, and it’s a long one, from aardvarks to the Zebra mussel.

In many cases it includes all species of a particular order or family.  For example, all species of the Family Elapidae are included. That’s about 60 different snakes, including cobras and adders.

Some of the prohibited animals are pretty obvious, like crocodiles, elephants and giraffes.  However, others are less so; rabbits and hamsters are on the list, as are turtles, snails and many kinds of tropical fish.  The DNR wanted these and others included because of the potential threat of the spread of disease or ecosystem damage if they are released in the wild.

Pet store owners are fuming.  They have flooded the Board with comments protesting the inclusion of many of the creatures they sell every day.  How, they ask, can they afford $100 for a permit for an aquarium snail that sells for $2?

The process of determining what animals will be on the list is ongoing.  The Ag, DNR and DHHR representatives will review the public comments, perhaps adjust the list, and then turn it over to lawmakers. The Legislature’s Rule Making Review Committee will meet later this year to finalize the list for the full Legislature next year.

(You can read the full list of animals here.)  You can submit a comment at this address:  jodeemartin@wvda.us





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