LA CROSSE TRIBUNE (Wisconsin) 18 May 04 It's a zoo out there: Exotic animal ordinance loses its teeth (Reid Magney)

County officials have softened a proposed exotic animal control ordinance to grandfather in snakes, zebras and other wild pets area residents already own. The La Crosse County Board is scheduled to give the ordinance a first reading Thursday, with final approval in June.

Supervisor Tara Johnson, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Board, said the proposed ordinance has been amended to include a grandfather clause.

Owners of exotic pets would have to register them with the county health department between July 1 and Oct. 1, Johnson said.

Department inspectors then "can go out and check and see they're well cared for," Johnson said.

Supervisor Sharon Hampson of La Crosse proposed the ordinance earlier this year due to concerns about diseases transferring from animals to humans, as well as the animals and humans' safety.

At a public hearing, dozens of owners of exotic pets — especially snake owners — turned out to ask for longer snake-length limits or grandfathering of existing animals.

At a Health and Human Services Board meeting last week, members rejected increasing the size limit on snakes from six feet to 10 feet. Instead, they voted 7-1 in favor of a grandfather clause.

Johnson said she doesn't know how the full county board will vote on the issue.

If passed as amended, the ordinance would define exotic pets and ban them. However, people who own them July 1 could register them with the county until Oct. 1.

The department "determined that the possession of the animal does not pose a risk to public health or a substantial threat to public safety," according to the ordinance.

The county board meets at 6 p.m. Thursday in the basement of the La Crosse County Administrative Center, 400 N. Fourth St.

The text of the ordinance is available online at the county's Web site, http://co.la-crosse.wi.us. Click on "Meeting Minutes/Agendas," then on agendas and minutes for the county board of supervisors. Find the agenda for the May 20 county board meeting, and click the link under Health & Human Services Board.
Exotic animal ordinance loses its teeth

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