Senate Bill 564 Summary

• Prohibits possession, sale, transfer, or breeding of dangerous wild animals (including large cats, bears, wolves, primates, and hyenas) unless exempt under the bill.

• Exempts AZA-accredited zoos, research facilities, wildlife sanctuaries, veterinary facilities, law enforcement, circuses, and persons who lawfully owned dangerous wild animals before June 1, 2019.

• Requires prior possessors to register with local animal control by September 1, 2019, maintain $250,000 liability insurance per occurrence, allow law enforcement inspections, and post warning signs.

• Prohibits public contact with dangerous wild animals and requires escape-proof permanent enclosures with operable locks and 15-foot barriers separating the public from animals.

• Establishes enforcement through law enforcement and animal control authorities, including seizure/forfeiture, with penalties ranging from Class 2 misdemeanor ($5,000 civil penalty) to Class I felony if an escaped animal causes serious bodily injury; effective December 1, 2019.