Update (March 6, 2015): The House and the Senate passed different versions of this bill, and could not reach an agreement on the language. The Senate then “postponed it indefinitely,” effectively killing the bill.
Bill Description:
This bill prohibits anyone from owning a predator unless they have acquired a permit from the director of the Department of Agriculture. The director shall not issue a permit if he or she determines that ownership of the predator presents any threat to public health or safety.[teaserbreak]
For the purpose of this bill, a predator is defined as a coyote, jackrabbit, porcupine, raccoon, red fox, skunk, or stray cat.
Background:
Check out our page on exotic pets for more details on why private ownership of wild animals is both cruel and dangerous.
Our Exotic Animal Incidents Database details specific incidents involving exotic pets, many of which resulted in injury or death to people and/or the animal.
Read the full text here.