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ALABAMA Title 3-8-1 Code of Alabama. "Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, it shall be illegal to own, maintain, sell, or trade any canidae or felidae for which there is no USDA licensed rabies vaccine. Anyone currently owning or maintaining such animal (as of 4/5/94) may keep the animal for the length of the animal's life providing the animal is spayed or neutered and is registered with the Department of Agriculture and Industries." ALASKA "Under 5 AAC
92.029 Permit For Possessing Live Game (a) No person may possess, import,
release or export, or assist in importing, releasing, or exporting, live
game, unless the person holds a possession permit issued by the
department." "(c) The department (of Fish and Game) may not issue a permit
for the capture, possession, import or export of any game animal,
including a hybrid of a game animal and a species listed in subsection (b)
for use as a pet." ARIZONA "Possession of
wolves in Arizona is prohibited without a permit. They may not be imported
or possessed except as otherwise permitted by the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission. ARKANSAS "The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission does not address the domestic ownership of pure wolves or Wolf Hybrids." CALIFORNIA Ownership of pure wolves is illegal except by the few people qualifying for a valid permit from Fish and Game. Among the criteria for such a permit are rigid requirements for facilities and experience in raising such animals, along with approval of the USDA. "Any F1 (first) generation wolf hybrid whelped on or before February 4, 1988 may be possessed under permit from the department. No state permit is required to possess the progeny of F1 generation wolf hybrids, but cities and counties may prohibit possession or require a permit." COLORADO "Pure wolves require commercial licensing and appropriate carnivore facilities. #1101 (A). No person shall possess, sell, acquire, purchase, broker, trade, barter or attempt to sell, acquire, purchase, broker, trade or barter live wildlife unless he first obtains a proper license as provided in this chapter. All species of wildlife listed on the license must be approved by the Division; such approval shall not be granted if the proposed wildlife is deemed to be detrimental to wild native wildlife. The Colorado Division of Wildlife does not regulate ownership of Wolf Hybrids as they are considered domestic animals." CONNECTICUT "Possession of potentially dangerous animals. For the purposes of this section, the following shall be considered as potentially dangerous animals: .... the wolf .... No person shall possess a potentially dangerous animal. Any such animal illegally possessed may be ordered seized and may be disposed of as determined by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars for each offense.... A bird or quadruped which results from the crossbreeding of any animal with one of the species listed above ... shall be considered to be a wild bird or quadruped of that species." DELAWARE
"No person shall bring into this State, possess, sell or exhibit
any live wild mammal or hybrid of a wild mammal ... not native to or
generally found in Delaware without first securing a permit under this
chapter." The regulations state: "There must be two enclosures to house a
(Wolf Hybrid), a primary enclosure and a secondary enclosure. Fastening or
locking devices shall be required on both the primary and the secondary
enclosures and must be tamper proof from the general public. The primary
enclosure shall consist of a pen, cage or other enclosure where the (Wolf
Hybrid) will be kept, and must be of such a construction that it cannot be
destroyed by or escaped from by the (Wolf Hybrid). The secondary enclosure
must be of a type sufficient to prevent the (Wolf Hybrid) from escaping
from the property of the custodian ... Should the (wolf or Wolf Hybrid)
escape from its primary enclosure. The secondary enclosure shall be of a
type sufficient to prevent bodily contact between members of the public
and the (wolf or Wolf Hybrid)." FLORIDA "Pure wolves and hybrids which are 25% or less domestic dog require a $100 permit per year unless exempted as a researcher." Provisions include owner "demonstrates no less than one year of substantial practical experience (to consist of no less than 100 hours) plus successfully complete a written examination on the care, feeding, handling and husbandry of the species for which the permit is sought, or other species, within the same biological family ... which are substantially similar in size, characteristics, care and nutritional requirements to the species for which the permit is sought," is able to provide a proper diet, health care and exercise, caging meets minimum specifications and that the neighborhood setting is appropriate." There are yard, containment, housing and care requirements. Those animals that are 75% or more wolf must be permitted as Class II wildlife." GEORGIA Possession of
wolves and wolf Hybrids is prohibited in the state; they are defined as
"Wild Animals." HAWAII "Canis familiaris crossed with wolf, coyote, dingo, jackal, fox, dhole, African wilddog, Raccoon dog...are prohibited in the State of Hawaii. IDAHO "Any person who obtains or possesses a canine exhibiting primary wolf characteristics or who captures a wolf alive or possesses or obtains a wolf that was born or held in captivity for any purpose must apply for a license for each animal within three (3) days of possession capture or commencement of captivity. Application for a license for each animal shall be made on a form prescribed by the Department and must be completed and returned to the Department within two (2) weeks. Applicants shall have each animal properly tattooed by a qualified veterinarian. The veterinarian shall certify that the animal has been tattooed on the license application." ILLINOIS The Illinois
Dangerous Animals Act prohibits ownership or possession of wolves except
for zoological parks, federally licensed exhibits, circuses, scientific or
educational institutions, research laboratories, veterinary hospitals or
animal refuges where they must be in an escape-proof enclosure. "There is
no separate designation for the crossbred wolf/dog or coyote/dog mix, and
as such are accepted as wolves if they are represented as wolf
crossbreds." (sic). INDIANA A Class III wild animal permit is required for each individual wolf. Additionally, a USDA permit must be possessed by the owner for each wolf. Wolf Hybrids are not regulated by the state and do not require a permit. IOWA "Local,
municipal or county officials should be contacted for relevant
regulations/ordinances which would supersede state regulations. Regardless
of percentage, Wolf Hybrids would be regulated by relevant sections of
Chapter 12, Code of Iowa and Iowa Departmental Rules, Chapter 21-67"
(which states "Dog, as that term is used in the rules, includes hybrid dog
mixtures.") Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship licensed
facilities (pounds, animals shelters, boarding and grooming kennels,
commercial breeders, etc.) are inspected and license issuance/renewal is
subject to compliance with relevant laws and rules. Under the Department
of Natural Resources, owners of two or more purebred wolves must have a
game breeder's permit. Their facilities are inspected and permits issued
by the Department of Natural Resources." KANSAS "Any person possessing a wolf must have a possession permit. There is no charge for the permit." Proof of purchase or receipt is required. A game breeders permit is required to engage in the business of raising and selling wolves. The possession of such animals shall be subject to all federal and state laws and regulations, and to all local ordinances. Wolf Hybrids are not considered to be wild animals and are not regulated by the Department of Wildlife." KENTUCKY "Pursuant to KRS
150.183 and 301 KAR 2:081, wolves cannot be imported, transported,
possessed or sold, except for certain educational, scientific, or research
purposes approved by the commissioner." LOUISIANA "No person shall
possess within the State of Louisiana any of the following species or its
subspecies of live wild quadrupeds, domesticated or otherwise:... Red
wolf, Gray wolf." MAINE Under Title 7, §
3907, 12-C of the Animal Laws of the State of Maine, "Dog means a member
of the genus and species known as Canis familiaris or any canine,
regardless of generation, resulting from the interbreeding of a member of
Canis familiaris with a wolf hybrid as defined in subsection 30." A
separate definition, however, reads "Wolf hybrid means a mammal that is
the offspring of the reproduction between a species of wild canid or wild
canid hybrid and a domestic dog or wild canid hybrid. Wolf hybrid includes
a mammal that is represented by its owner to be a wolf hybrid, coyote
hybrid, coydog or any other kind of wild canid hybrid." MARYLAND "A person or incorporated or unincorporated organization may not harbor or move within Maryland any live wolves or hybrids, for which there is no U.S.D.A. certified vaccine against rabies, without first having obtained a permit from the Service." MASSACHUSETTS "No person shall
possess, sell, trade, breed, import, export or release a wild canid hybrid
or wild felid hybrid, except as otherwise provided by rules and
regulations of the division. Any mammal which is the offspring of the
reproduction between any species of wild canid or wolf hybrid wild canid
and a domestic dog or hybrid wild canid, or is represented by its owner to
be a wolf hybrid, coyote hybrid, coy dog or any other kind of wild canid
hybrid .... shall be considered to be wild animals and subject to the
provisions of this chapter." MICHIGAN "Wild wolves in
Michigan are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and under
the State's Natural Resources and Enviromental Protection Act, Part 365.
Thus, they cannot be "taken" or possessed in the state. MINNESOTA "Minnesota does
not currently regulate Wolf Hybrids, although they may be prohibited by
local ordinances in some areas. However, if a Wolf Hybrid bears close
resemblance to a "pure" wolf, the owner may be required to show proof that
the animal is legally maintained and that it is a Hybrid. Pure wolves may
not be taken from the wild, may only be obtained from properly licensed
breeders and require a permit for their possession." MISSISSIPPI "It is unlawful
for any person to import, transfer, sell, purchase or possess any wild
animal classified as inherently dangerous by law or regulation unless that
person holds a permit or is exempt from holding a permit." A permit is
required for each animal possessed. MISSOURI "Any person holding wildlife in captivity in any manner shall have in his/her possession the prescribed permit or evidence of exemption." Wolves and Wolf Hybrids are considered Class II wildlife and there are minimum containment specifications and recordkeeping requirements." A breeder must obtain a wildlife breeders permit. MONTANA "Wolves and certain other predators are required to be tattooed and records of the same maintained by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. If any wolf ... that is held in captivity or that escapes from captivity causes any damage to the personal property of another person, compensation for such damage must be paid by the person holding or who held the animal in captivity." The regulations define "wolf" as "any canine which is one-half or more wolf. All 50% or greater crosses and pure wolves are required to be tattooed and registered." NEBRASKA "The statute prohibits possession of wolves in the state. Wolf Hybrids are not regulated by the Game and Parks Commission. But a Wolf Hybrid which looks like a wolf will be determined to be a wolf." NEVADA NAC 503.140: A Division of Wildlife license or permit is not required to import or possess (wolves). However, other state agencies or local (county/city) entities may have special regulations or ordinances regarding their ownership. Wolf Hybrids are not regulated at a state level. NEW HAMPSHIRE Purebred wolves
require Category 5 permits from the Fish and Game Department. "Possession
of wolves is restricted to federally and state licensed Wildlife
Exhibitors. Possession of a wolf as a per is not permitted."
NEW JERSEY "Wolf Hybrids are not regulated in the State of New Jersey. Wolves are regulated as potentially dangerous species and are not allowed to be possessed as pets." In addition, "no permit shall be issued for the possession of any species designated as endangered by the U.S. Department of the Interior or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection." NEW MEXICO "Except as
otherwise provided in the Wildlife Conservation Act (17-2-37 - 17-2-46
NMSA 1978), it is unlawful for any person to take, possess, transport,
export, sell or offer for sale, or ship any threatened or endangered
species or subspecies, or any restricted species. The Department may
authorize such activities by permit, for scientific or educational
purposes, for propagation in captivity." The gray wolf (Canis
lupus) is listed as an endangered species in New Mexico. "Wolf Hybrids
do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Game &
Fish." NEW YORK "Environmental
Conservation Law (ECL) Section 11-05335 and Regulations NYCRR Part 182.
Briefly, the wolf is regulated as an endangered species in New York.
Licenses are issued only for scientific, exhibition or education purposes
provided the licensee has an Animal Welfare Permit from the USDA. Licenses
are not issued to possess a wolf as a "pet." NORTH CAROLINA "Possession of eastern timber wolves or red wolves (100% purebred stock) would require a wildlife captivity license, which may be obtained by written request to the Division of Wildlife Management for a captivity application and then by following the application procedure. The Commission does not recognize wolf-hybrids as wild animals." NORTH DAKOTA "Wolves and Wolf
Hvbrids are presently classified as Category 4 Nontraditional Livestock by
the North Dakota Board of Animal Health. The definition of Category 4
animals includes "those species that are considered inherently or
environmentally dangerous, including bears, wolves, wolf hybrids,
primates, lions, tigers and cats." Wolf hybrid "means any animal that is
any part wolf." OHIO "The Ohio Division of Wildlife has no regulations concerning the sale or possession of wolves or Wolf Hybrids in Ohio. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has authority on dealing with wolves in Ohio. The wolf hybrid is classified as a dog and is covered by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (Chapter 955 Dogs)." OKLAHOMA A wolf/dog hybrid is considered a domestic animal and not wildlife A non-commercial breeder's license is not required to own a single pure wolf; however, the animal must be purchased from a commercial breeder and a sales receipt must be kept to prove origin. If two or more animals are owned, then a non-commercial breeder's license must be purchased. If two or more wolves are owned and bred for resale, then a commercial breeder's license must be purchased. Pure wolves are also regulated by the federal agencies. OREGON "Oregon law
requires the owners of exotic animals (which includes wolves) in Oregon to
have a permit for each species of exotic they hold. PENNSYLVANIA Wolves and Wolf
Hybrids may be possessed if they are purchased or received from any lawful
sources from within or without the state and if the owner first secures an
Exotic Wildlife Possession Permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Game
Commission. Inspection by the Commission is required to insure that
minimum requirements for secure and humane housing conditions are met.
"Minimum pen requirements for a single animal are 15' length by 8' width
by 6' height covered at the top to prevent escape. For a pair, double the
cage length. For each additional animal - after 2 add 10' to the cage
length. A secluded den area 4'W x 4'L is required for a single animal. Add
3' in length for an additional animal." RHODE ISLAND "No person shall
import into, receive, or possess in this state a native animal, exotic
animal, a member of a target species or a hybrid, unless in possession of
a current permit issued by the Commissioner pursuant to these
regulations." SOUTH CAROLINA "It is unlawful
to sell live wolves or coyotes within the state or to ship or import live
wolves or coyotes into this state, except for exhibition or scientific
purposes upon approval of the department... A person may not have a live
wolf or coyote in his possession without a wildlife captivity license
issued by the department." The 1995 response indicated that: "It is
illegal to import a wolf or Wolf Hybrid that is 25% or more wolf. There is
no regulation against possession of a Wolf Hybrid if purchased within the
state. Wildlife Commission policy considers them 'potentially dangerous'
... "No carnivores which are normally not domesticated may be sold as a
pet in this state. Such carnivores shall include animals known to be
reservoirs of rabies, such as wolves ..." SOUTH DAKOTA "A permit from the South Dakota Animal Industry Board is required to import nondomestic animals. In addition, a permit as described in Section 12:68:18:03 is required to possess in South Dakota any nondomestic mammal, or any of its hybrids listed in this section." (All nondomestic members of the family Canidae, which also includes hybrids). Annual application is required. All animals in this category must be permanently identified by either legible tattoo or ear tag, or by electronic means. TENNESSEE "No wolves may be possessed without a permit, which includes very rigid pen specifications. Permits are issued only to zoos, circuses, and commercial propagators. Wolves are considered to be Class I wildlife. Wolf Hybrids of any percentage are not regulated by the Agency and are classified as Class III animals." TEXAS "No person in Texas may possess, transport, receive or release a live wolf in this state." Wolf Hybrids are not regulated at the state level; however, some counties and municipalities have local regulations regarding these animals. UTAH No permits are required by the Division of Wildlife Resources for Wolf Hybrids. They are considered to be domestic dogs. Local ordinances may vary from locality to locality. Pure wolves and any other species listed as threatened or endangered, "may not be imported or possessed without first obtaining a certificate of registration from the division, a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and an entry permit number from the Department of Agriculture." VERMONT "It is unlawful
for any person to bring into the State of Vermont any live wild bird or
animal ... unless, upon application in writing therefor, the person
obtains a permit to do so." The definition of "Wild Animals" include "the
family Canidae, any hybrids with domestic dogs." However, Chapter 193,
Subchapter 2 regulates Wolf Hybrids generally the same as "domestic pets,"
except for the following provision. VIRGINIA Pure wolves are
not allowed entrance into the state for private ownership. Hybrid wolves
are no longer regulated by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries,
but per a mandate signed into law amending Chapter 918 of the Code of
Virginia, "Any county, city or town may, by ordinance, establish a permit
system to ensure the adequate confinement and responsible ownership of
hybrid canines. Such ordinances may include requirements pertaining to:
(i) the term and expiration of the permit, (ii) the number of hybrid
canines that may be owned by a permittee, (iii) identification tags or
tattooing of the animal, (iv) where the animal may be kept, (v) handling
of the animal while not on the property of the owner, and (vi) information
required to be provided when applying for a permit, such as the sex,
color, height, vaccination records, length, or identifying marks of the
hybrid canine. The ordinance shall not require that hybrid canines be
disposed of by the owner unless the owner fails or refuses to obtain or
renew any required permit or violates a provision of the ordinance or any
other law pertaining to the responsible ownership of the hybrid canine.
The locality may impose a permit fee to cover the cost of the permitting
system." WASHINGTON "The wolf, Canis lupus, has been classified as an endangered species by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Private ownership of a wolf requires proof of legal acquisition, health certificate, proper holding facilities. Wolf Hybrids are not classified as wildlife and therefore do not fall within the regulatory authority of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This does not mean that local jurisdictions may not regulate or prohibit the possession of these animals. Additionally, other state or local agencies may have regulations that apply to the importation or possession of wolves or wolf hybrids." Possession of wolves or wolf hybrids is prohibited in King County WEST VIRGINIA "The importation of any species of wildlife into West Virginia is governed by a Wildlife Importation permit. These permits have been denied in recent years for wolves and other potentially dangerous wildlife due to some bad experiences in the past. Wolf Hybrids with more than 1% dog in their lineage are treated as dogs and therefor would not be under the jurisdiction of the Fish and Game Department; however, importation is not allowed." WISCONSIN "Pure wolves are illegal except by permit for zoological, educational or scientific purposes or propagation for preservation purposes. Hybrids are not regulated." WYOMING Chapter 10, Section 5 (a) states: "Wolves (Canis lupus), wolf hybrids, and/or wolf/dog hybrids may not be imported or sold in the state of Wyoming."
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