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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 22, 2013 03:07 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Gary Haluska |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Amends Title 34 (Game) Banning personal ownership of exotic animals as pets in PA |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that amends Title 34 (Game) to ban the personal ownership of exotic animals as pets in Pennsylvania. Under current law, a permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission is required to own these wild animals. There are 36 individuals who hold this permit. My bill would end that permitting process on January 1 2015; however, the legislation would allow those who have been awarded a permit before that date to keep the animal. After January 1, 2015, no new permits would be given by the commission. Some of the animals included in the proposed ban are bears, lion, tigers, leopards, wolves and primates. Too often we learn of terrible animal attacks involving caged wild animals. This legislation will specify that ownership of certain wild animals for private entertainment will be considered mistreatment of that wildlife, and thereby protecting the safety of Pennsylvanians as well as these animals. My bill also specifies several species that will be lawful to possess. Within that list are sugar gliders and hedgehogs, two popular animals of certain pet enthusiasts. Similar legislation passed unanimously last session. |
Introduced as HB575