HB253 Summary

• Amends Section 3-8-1 to allow current owners of canidae or felidae without USDA licensed rabies vaccines to keep their animals for life if spayed/neutered and registered with the Department of Agriculture and Industries.

• Adds Section 3-8-2 making it illegal to possess, sell, transfer, or breed large felidae (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, jaguar, cheetah, cougar) or wolves, with exceptions for USDA Class C exhibitors, research facilities, nonprofit wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary hospitals, law enforcement, and animal protection organizations.

• Permits persons who lawfully possessed large felidae or wolves before the bill's effective date to keep their animals if they meet seven criteria including liability insurance, disaster planning, veterinary records, and no prior convictions for animal abuse.

• Establishes a Class A misdemeanor penalty for violations of the possession prohibition.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval by the Governor.