Pennsylvania’s Exotic Animal Laws state that a permit is required for certain animals. This permit can be acquired from the Pennsylvania Wildlife Commission. Any individual who is thinking about an exotic animal as a pet should study the rules and regulations as they pertain to the exotic animal in question. This can save a lot of time and money as these permits must be in place before the possession of the animal occurs.
34 Pennsylvania Constitutional Statute Annotated §2961 defines what is meant words and phrases used in the Pennsylvania’s Exotic Animal Laws. As per this statute, educational purposes means displays containing exotic animals that are used by schools, both private and public, organizations such as youth and sportsmen’s organizations, civic associations, conservation schools and camps and other organizations that the commission deems appropriate. Exotic wildlife, according to this statute, refers to coyotes, bears, lions, leopards, tigers, jaguars, cougars, cheetahs, wolves or any hybrid of these animals as well as any other animal the commission deems appropriate. An exotic wildlife dealer, according to this statute, is anyone who imports, possesses, sells, purchases, locates for a fee, donates, barters or disposes of more than one animal or bird classified as exotic.
34 Pennsylvania Constitutional Statute Annotated §2963 explains the process required to receive a permit to possess an exotic animal. Permits issued by the Pennsylvania Wildlife Commission authorize the holder of the permit to possess, buy and receive exotic wildlife as long as the wildlife comes from a lawful source. This source can either be located within Pennsylvania or not. This statute also states that no permit will be granted until the Pennsylvania Wildlife Commission is convinced that the individual applying for the permit has proven that they have the facilities needed to house for the exotic animal and also has the ability to care for the exotic animal as well as to protect the public from the exotic animal.
This Pennsylvania Exotic Wildlife Law also states what is considered unlawful relating to possession of exotic wildlife. It states that no one may possess, buy or receive any exotic animal without first being granted the permits required by the Pennsylvania Wildlife Commission. This individual may not release the exotic animal into the wilds of Pennsylvania. This individual is expected to due diligence in protecting the public from the exotic animal that they are in possession of and the individual may not ever engage in any conduct that would allow the exotic animal to become dangerous to another person. Penalties for these violations are as follows: a first offense is a third degree offense, any following offenses are to be considered fifth degree offenses. Each day the individual is found in violation is a separate offense, but at no time shall the individuals fine exceed $300 for a field receipt. A court penalty has no limit. And of course, the Director of the Pennsylvania Wildlife Commission can revoke or suspend the permit at anytime the penalties warrant it, as well as ordering the exotic wildlife to be disposed of.
