CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — State officials want to ensure
West Virginians aren’t making pets out of animals better suited for the
wilderness than people’s backyards.
After an Ohio citizen in 2011
let dozens of dangerous animals loose, including black bears, mountain
lions and Bengal tigers, West Virginia has decided to determine which
tigers, apes, alligators and other wildlife will be illegal for people
to own. State regulators are shooting for early July to finish the list.
The
law passed this year only clamps down on new animals brought into West
Virginia. Residents who already have soon-to-be-illegal creatures won’t
violate new state laws, as long as they follow a new permitting process,
said Paul Johansen, state Division of Natural Resources assistant chief
of game management.
The law also calls for an inventory of sorts, since officials don’t know what’s prowling around the
state.
"We have literally no idea what’s out there, in terms of exotic wildlife being held in private
possession," Johansen said.
A
variety of accredited groups, like zoos, animal control, veterinarians,
dealers and exhibitors, are exempted. So are animals safely transported
through the state in two days or less.
In 2011, an eastern Ohio
man released 50 exotic and potentially dangerous animals from his farm
before he committed suicide. Fearing for the public’s safety,
authorities killed 48 of the animals.
Two surviving leopards, two
primates and a bear were temporarily held at the Columbus Zoo and
returned to the man’s wife in May 2012. She transferred them to another
Ohio farm.
Tramplings and maulings aren’t the only concerns for
West Virginia regulators. Agriculture, natural resources and health
officials also worry that animals can import diseases or threaten
ecosystems.
West Virginians who violate the law could face misdemeanor charges and fines of $200 to $2,000 per
animal.
Releasing
a dangerous animal could earn to a year in jail and $500 to $2,500 in
fines. If the animal hurts someone, penalties reach the felony level,
with a possible one to three years in state prison and $1,000 to $5,000
in fines.
Johansen said some forbidden animals will be no-brainers
— lions, tigers and the like. Others may draw more backlash, like some
snakes and monkeys, he said.
The new law likely won’t disrupt one of Appalachia’s tenacious religious traditions: snake handling.
The Division of Natural Resources already regulates how many rattlesnakes and copperheads someone can
own.