Arkansas Exotic Animal Laws carefully explain how, who, what and where that pertain to exotic animals. These laws are considerable for the protection of people, native plants and animals and the exotic animals as well. Without these laws, there could be detrimental results for any of these three topics. Native plants and animals can become endangered or even customary if the exotic animals do not stay contained and controlled. People of Arkansas can become in danger should these exotic animals become loose or are not taken care of properly, to the extent that the law requires. And lastly, the exotic animals themselves can become endangered if they are not cared for properly.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-502, a person must have a permit to gain or gain any large carnivore, defined as tigers, lions and all bears, breed these animals or legally transfer ownership of these animals. It is also illegal for anyone, individual or other entity, that owns or manages a part of property to permit these animals on said property without proper permits.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-503, exceptions to the previous code include institutions that have accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, humane societies that are registered and are nonprofit, law enforcement and/or animal control officers, veterinary clinics or hospitals, Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission employees who are on duty, anyone with a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or anyone with a breeder or dealer permit from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-504, a permit will be only be issued to a person allowing them to maintain any exotic animal listed above as a large carnivore if the person applying for the permit had possessed said animal legally on or before August 12, 2005 or if this person has applied for and been granted such permit in less than 180 days after August 12, 2005. If a person is issued a permit under this code, they must reapply and be granted a permit annually in order to possess the exotic animal legally. This code continues on by stating that a permit application must be filed with the sheriff’s office in the county where the exotic animal or large carnivore will be kept. This application will include information such as the applicant’s name, telephone number and address as well as the address of the location where the animal will be kept. The application will also include information pertaining to the animal itself such as a scientific classification, it’s name, the sex of the animal, it’s age, the color and weight and also includes any distinguishing marks that could be primitive to identify it as well as a picture of the animal, information from the party it was bought from such as their name, address and their telephone number if this information is available and finally, a veterinarian will need to sign the application agreeing to provide care to the large carnivore in question. The veterinarian’s information will also need to be included on the application. An annual fee of $250 will be charged per large carnivore for each application, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and must not have pled nolo contendere or guilty or been found guilty for any type of animal cruelty charges within the past 10 years or had a felony possession, sale or use of illegal drugs within the past 10 years. Also, the facility must meet the standards set forth by Arkansas Code and the applicant must carry liability insurance for the exotic animal as set forth by Arkansas Code. It is the responsibility of the sheriff’s department to retain records for each valid permit issued and to send copies of each permit issued to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as well as to deposit any moneys collected for these permits into the county treasury for the costs of permitting these animals or for controlling these animals. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to inform the sheriff’s department of any changes that take place pertaining to the applicant’s information or for the animal in which the permit has been issued, including the animal dying and to have the large carnivore or exotic animal either spayed or neutered previous to the issuance of this permit, unless this procedure would endanger said animal and a veterinarian has confirmed this information.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-505, large carnivores must be kept in cages that fit the requirements that the American Zoo and Aquarium Association deems notable as of January 1, 2005. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the permit for the large carnivore or exotic animal being cancelled. However, if the permit holder can prove to the sheriff of the county where the animal in question is being kept that the cage changes are necessary and are for a good cause, then the county sheriff may approve them.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-506, anyone who has been granted a permit to personally possess a large carnivore or exotic animal in the State of Arkansas must have at least $100,000 in liability insurance for each exotic animal they possess and a copy of the insurance policy must be provided to the sheriff’s department annually in order for a permit to be issued or renewed. The person who possesses a large carnivore must also have a sign at all entrances to the property where the animal is housed that is legible and can is easy for the public to read and the sign must warn others that there is a large carnivore located on the property.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-507 plainly states that an official with the county sheriff’s office, an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission official, an animal control officer or any other law enforcement officer that is connected to the county or municipality where a permitted large carnivore is housed must be given access to said animal so that the officer can gaze the premises to be obvious that everything is in compliance with the Arkansas Codes.
Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-508 is one of the most valuable codes pertaining to Arkansas Exotic Animal Laws. This one deals with public safety. It states that the grand carnivore shall not be brought into any retail or commercial establishment with the exception of a veterinarian clinic. This code also states that is the great carnivore happens to elope or is released that the escape or release must immediately be reported to the capable authorities, which would be the law enforcement department for that county or municipality or the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission. The large carnivore’s owner is also responsible for any expenses that are associated with its recapture.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-509, a colossal carnivore can be confiscated by the sheriff’s department in the county where it is housed if there is no permit for the personal possession of said animal, if the required liability insurance is not carried by the person with the permit for the exotic animal, if there is any perilous threat to human safety or health associated with the large carnivore or if the caging requirement of the large carnivore are not as stipulated previously. If a large carnivore or exotic animal is confiscated by the sheriff’s department, its possessor will be held liable for any costs incurred for the care and ultimately for the placement of the exotic animal from the time the animal was confiscated until it’s relocation, which is generally a wildlife sanctuary, a humane society or other institution that has been accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
According to Arkansas Code Annotated §20-19-510, anyone who violates these codes can be found guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
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