Those of you in North Carolina should follow this.
The notice below is for a Public Comment Session in order to address concerns regarding regulations the Study Committee will recommend to the NC General Assembly in the 2007 session. This is public information so crossposting is assumed to be granted. The study bill follows the general announcement.
Susan
******
To: Committee Members, Advisors Inherently Dangerous Animals, Study Committee
From: Lorraine Smith, NCZP
During the 2006 session, the North Carolina General Assembly approved a bill directing The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through The North Carolina Zoological Park and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, to lead a Study Committee to determine if a need exists to regulate inherently dangerous exotic animals in North Carolina. Committee members have completed preliminary discussions and would like to receive public comment.
Comments can be submitted to the Study Committee in three ways.
1. Electronic comments may be sent to SB1032.comments@nczoo.org. The email must include the sender's name, address and contact information. Anonymous comments will not be considered.
2. Written comments may be mailed to SB1032 Comments; 4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205. The sender's name, address and contact information must be included for comments to be considered. Anonymous comments will not be considered.
3. Comments may be presented in person to the Study Committee on Monday, December 18, 2006 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Archdale Building in the government complex in Raleigh, ground floor meeting room. The address is: 512 North Salisbury Street, Raleigh NC 27604
Priority will be given to those individuals who notify the Study Committee of their intention to speak in advance of the hearing. Each speaker will be allowed 5 minutes for comments. Any time not used by speakers who have registered their interest in advance, will be offered to those in attendance at the meeting. Speakers may notify the Study Committee of their wish to speak by e-mailing the request to SB1032.comments@nczoo.org or in the form of a letter. They should briefly summarize the topics they wish to cover in a few sentences. Topics will be grouped by the Chairman of the meeting in determining the order of the presentation.
The deadline for all written and electronic comments is Dec. 31, 2006.
Please review the list below for those species *NOT* under consideration for regulation.
Any comments (written or verbal) should be restricted to those species, facilities or agencies that could be impacted by exotic animal regulation in NC.
The following animals are *NOT* under consideration for regulation as inherently dangerous.
1. All invertebrates
2. All amphibians
3. All tortoises and turtles
4. All birds
5. All opossums, sugar gliders and wallabies
6. All rabbits and hares
7. All Cetaceans (whales and dolphins)
8. All camels and llamas
The following venues or events are *NOT* under consideration for regulation:
1. Rodeo
2. Circus
3. AZA Accredited zoos
4. Accredited sanctuary
*************************************************
SESSION LAW 2006-248
HOUSE BILL 1723
PART XXXII. STUDY INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS (S.B. 1032 – Garwood)
SECTION 32.1. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in consultation with the North Carolina Zoological Park and the Wildlife Resources Commission, shall study the need to protect the public against the health and safety risks posed by inherently dangerous animals and propose a means of best providing that protection to the public while also protecting the welfare of inherently dangerous animals. In developing recommendations, the Department shall consult with the following entities or groups, or appropriate representatives of those entities or groups:
(1) The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
(2) The Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
(4) The State Animal Response Team.
(5) Local law enforcement officials.
(6) Local animal control officials.
(7) Wild animal breeders.
(8) Exotic pet hobbyists.
(9) Commercial pet retailers.
(10) Small zoo owners.
(11) Humane organizations.
(12) Any other entities or groups whose interests may be affected by proposed regulations.
SECTION 32.2. The Department shall report its findings to the General Assembly no later than the convening of the 2007 General Assembly.
SECTION 32.3. The report made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall include:
(1) A list of the types of animals that possess such inherently dangerous characteristics that they should not be owned or possessed by persons who do not have special expertise or training, and a determination as to whether these animals should be grouped into classes for differential treatment based upon the nature and extent of the threat they pose to the public. This list should also include information about the nature of the dangers posed by each type of animal.
(2) A suggested means for regulating ownership of certain animals, including a means of enforcing any proposed restrictions on the ownership or possession of those animals. This portion of the report may include an evaluation of regulations in place in other jurisdictions that have proven to be effective in protecting the public from inherently dangerous animals.
(3) A plan for addressing inherently dangerous animals that are indigenous species within the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Resources Commission under Article 22 of Chapter 113 of the General Statutes and a consideration as to whether any potential legislation should broadly address the keeping of any wildlife as pets, whether indigenous or not and whether inherently dangerous or not. This portion of the report should result from extensive consultation with the Wildlife Resources Commission.
(4) A recommendation as to whether persons owning or possessing animals covered by any proposed restrictions should be grandfathered in under a regulatory scheme and the appropriate means of grandfathering those persons in, including consideration of whether certain animals are so threatening to the public safety that the grandfathering of untrained owners or possessors should not be allowed under any circumstances.
(5) A recommended list, as comprehensive as possible, of persons and entities that should be exempted from the proposed restrictions on ownership or possession of the animals covered by any proposed restrictions, such as zoos, veterinary hospitals, wildlife sanctuaries, research institutions, and the like.
