Raleigh council considers ban, registration requirement for wild animals kept as pets
Raleigh is determining the next steps in defining how and whether residents can own dangerous animals as pets within the city.
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The definition does not include animals regulated by federal and state laws or regulations.
- Option 1: Banning DWAs with no grandfathering of current DWA pets.
- Option 2: Banning DWAs with grandfathering in current DWA pets.
- Option 3: No banning of DWAs, but owners would be required to register their DWA pets.
- Option 4: No new ordinance prohibiting DWAs or requiring registration.
Under options 1 and 2, it would be made unlawful for any person to harbor, possess, keep, maintain, release, transport, or have under his control within the city any dangerous wild animal. If option 4 were to go into effect, the current procedures would stay in place and those already in possession of DWAs would not have to register them.
Under the first three options, accredited zoos, scientific research laboratories, veterinarians harboring such animals for purposes of providing medical treatment and educational or scientific institutions (public and private) in the course of their educational or scientific work would be exempt from the provisions. Any person who would be found to be in violation would be subject to a civil penalty of $500 per animal, as well as reimbursement to the city for all costs incurred while impounding, trying to recapture, shelter, or euthanize in the event of an escaped dangerous wild animal.
The committee is set to vote on an ordinance in January.
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