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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Edward G. Staback |
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Staback to introduce bill to ban exotic animals
HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – State Rep. Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, said today he intends to introduce legislation to ban the personal ownership of exotic animals as pets in Pennsylvania.
"Too often we learn of terrible animal attacks involving caged wild animals," Staback said. "Further, if one of the animals would escape, it poses a very real threat to public safety. My legislation would change the law so that ownership of specific wild animals for private entertainment would be considered the mistreatment of that wildlife, therefore protecting the safety of Pennsylvanians as well as these animals."
Under current law, a permit from the Pennsylvania Game Commission is required to own these wild animals.
Staback's legislation would end the permitting process on a specific future date and would allow those who have been awarded a permit before that date to keep the animal. However, after the set date, no new permits would be given by the commission.
The House Game and Fisheries Committee held a hearing on this issue late last session.
Some of the animals included in the proposed ban are bears, lions, tigers, leopards, wolves and primates.
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