According to the article the proposed animals on the "dangerous wild animal list" is expected to be made public this week.
After reading the article I now understand why my state is considered the least educated state in the US. I can't recall the last time I knew of someone who kept a dolphin or whale in a swimming pool.
I won't even comment on the first word in the article.
http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140609/DM01/140609217/1298
Experts continue deciding what animals ‘dangerous’
Airing on the safe side, a group of West Virginia health and animal experts concluded Monday it’s probably best to recommend residents can’t keep pet whales in their pools.
“Hope we get that rich in this state where he have to worry about people putting porpoises in their backyards,” said James Crum, a biologist with the state Division of Natural Resources. Opting against allowing backyard dolphins was a small part of a lengthy discussion as to what animals should be considered dangerous and wild in accordance with a new state law.
Lawmakers passed the Dangerous Wild Animal Act this year, citing concerns after the 2011 release of lions, tigers and other exotic animals from a private facility in Zanesville, Ohio.
The West Virginia law outlines parameters for ownership of certain animals. While the law suggests a few animals that could be prohibited without a license, it creates a Dangerous Wild Animal board and instructs its members to actually create a comprehensive list.
A subcommittee — comprised of officials from the DNR, state Department of Agriculture and Bureau for Public Health — assigned the task of creating the list took “comprehensive” to heart. The five board members discussed classifications for animals ranging from the Tasmanian Devil and short-nosed bandicoots to elephant shrews and pygmy three-toed sloths.
“I thought today went really well, I was really pleased with the progress the committee made,” said Jewell Plumley, state veterinarian for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Initially the committee considered creating an “inclusion” list, or noting all the animals people could keep legally. Crum said such a list could help them from having to predict if “dancing frogs” or other seemingly obscure animals would become the next trendy pet.
However, the committee eventually opted for a mixed list, noting some animals could be kept while others should not.
“The subcommittee is carefully and purposefully looking at the class, order, family and genus of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic animals, including hybrids that are dangerous to humans, other animals or the environment due to their inherent nature and capability to do significant harm,” said Dr. Letitia Tierney, state health officer, member of the committee and former member of the snakebite treatment team during her tenure at Charleston Area Medical Center.
The Daily Mail could not obtain a copy of the final list created by the committee. At about 3:30 p.m. Plumley, who sat in on the meeting but is not officially a member, said she thought the group had finalized the list. A spokeswoman for Tierney said at 4:30 p.m. she didn’t think the group had finished the list yet.
Earlier in the day though, several on the committee saw some animals that could create a stir.
“You’ll get a fight on prairie dogs and sugar gliders,” Plumley said, after the group decided to ban both as of early Monday. Prairie dogs can carry several diseases, Crum said, and sugar gliders — something that resembles a small flying squirrel — are considered exotic pets that are banned in numerous other states. Plumley and Crum emphasized they have document justification for each animal they considered banning. State DNR Biologist Kieran O’Malley also noted the law’s definition of animal did not include insects or similar creatures, seemingly allowing a loophole for animals like tarantulas, scorpions or black widow spiders which could be considered dangerous and wild. Owners of large snakes, primates and other animals have voiced concerns about the bill.
However, the law allows for some exemptions for current animal owners and those with appropriate federal research or display permits. The committee will present the list it created Thursday to the full board, which has the authority to change the list as it sees fit. The board’s final list will then go before the Legislature for approval as a rule.
After reading the article I now understand why my state is considered the least educated state in the US. I can't recall the last time I knew of someone who kept a dolphin or whale in a swimming pool.
I won't even comment on the first word in the article.
http://www.charlestondailymail.com/article/20140609/DM01/140609217/1298
Experts continue deciding what animals ‘dangerous’
Airing on the safe side, a group of West Virginia health and animal experts concluded Monday it’s probably best to recommend residents can’t keep pet whales in their pools.
“Hope we get that rich in this state where he have to worry about people putting porpoises in their backyards,” said James Crum, a biologist with the state Division of Natural Resources. Opting against allowing backyard dolphins was a small part of a lengthy discussion as to what animals should be considered dangerous and wild in accordance with a new state law.
Lawmakers passed the Dangerous Wild Animal Act this year, citing concerns after the 2011 release of lions, tigers and other exotic animals from a private facility in Zanesville, Ohio.
The West Virginia law outlines parameters for ownership of certain animals. While the law suggests a few animals that could be prohibited without a license, it creates a Dangerous Wild Animal board and instructs its members to actually create a comprehensive list.
A subcommittee — comprised of officials from the DNR, state Department of Agriculture and Bureau for Public Health — assigned the task of creating the list took “comprehensive” to heart. The five board members discussed classifications for animals ranging from the Tasmanian Devil and short-nosed bandicoots to elephant shrews and pygmy three-toed sloths.
“I thought today went really well, I was really pleased with the progress the committee made,” said Jewell Plumley, state veterinarian for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture.
Initially the committee considered creating an “inclusion” list, or noting all the animals people could keep legally. Crum said such a list could help them from having to predict if “dancing frogs” or other seemingly obscure animals would become the next trendy pet.
However, the committee eventually opted for a mixed list, noting some animals could be kept while others should not.
“The subcommittee is carefully and purposefully looking at the class, order, family and genus of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and aquatic animals, including hybrids that are dangerous to humans, other animals or the environment due to their inherent nature and capability to do significant harm,” said Dr. Letitia Tierney, state health officer, member of the committee and former member of the snakebite treatment team during her tenure at Charleston Area Medical Center.
The Daily Mail could not obtain a copy of the final list created by the committee. At about 3:30 p.m. Plumley, who sat in on the meeting but is not officially a member, said she thought the group had finalized the list. A spokeswoman for Tierney said at 4:30 p.m. she didn’t think the group had finished the list yet.
Earlier in the day though, several on the committee saw some animals that could create a stir.
“You’ll get a fight on prairie dogs and sugar gliders,” Plumley said, after the group decided to ban both as of early Monday. Prairie dogs can carry several diseases, Crum said, and sugar gliders — something that resembles a small flying squirrel — are considered exotic pets that are banned in numerous other states. Plumley and Crum emphasized they have document justification for each animal they considered banning. State DNR Biologist Kieran O’Malley also noted the law’s definition of animal did not include insects or similar creatures, seemingly allowing a loophole for animals like tarantulas, scorpions or black widow spiders which could be considered dangerous and wild. Owners of large snakes, primates and other animals have voiced concerns about the bill.
However, the law allows for some exemptions for current animal owners and those with appropriate federal research or display permits. The committee will present the list it created Thursday to the full board, which has the authority to change the list as it sees fit. The board’s final list will then go before the Legislature for approval as a rule.
