HLS 12RS-632 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 6
BY REPRESENTATIVE STUART BISHOP
WILDLIFE & FISHERIES: Specifies accreditation requirements for exemption from
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission rules governing possession of exotic cats
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To amend the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rule (LAC 76:V.115(E)(1) and (F)(2)),2
which provides exemptions from the department's rules governing private possession3
of potentially dangerous quadrupeds, exotic cats and nonhuman primates, to include4
in those exemptions facilities certified by the Zoological Association of America and5
to direct the office of the state register to print the amendments in the Louisiana6
Administrative Code.7
WHEREAS, Act Number 715 of the 2006 Regular Session of the Legislature8
enacted R.S. 56:6(31) which requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to ". . .9
promulgate rules and regulations to control the importation and private possession of big10
exotic cats . . ."; and11
WHEREAS, R.S. 56:6(31) also provides for " . . . exceptions for big cats traditionally12
kept by colleges and universities as school mascots, animal sanctuaries, zoos, wildlife13
research centers, and scientific organizations." ; and14
WHEREAS, the rules adopted by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission provide15
exemptions for those " . . . zoos accredited or certified by the American Zoo and Aquarium16
Association."; and17
WHEREAS, the American Zoo and Aquarium Association is not the only recognized18
association that inspects, certifies, and accredits zoos and animal parks and animal19
sanctuaries; and20 HLS 12RS-632 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 6
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WHEREAS, the Zoological Association of America is an additional association1
recognized by zoos and animal parks and whose accreditation is recognized throughout the2
world of zoos and animal parks and by whose accreditation, assurances can be had that3
animals are handled and treated appropriately and in a manner so as to ensure the safety of4
the public.5
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of Louisiana that LAC6
76:V.115(E)(1) and (F)(2) are hereby amended to read as follows:7
ยง115. Possession of Potentially Dangerous Wild Quadrupeds, Big Exotic Cats, and8
Non-Human Primates9
* * *10
E. Exempted Entities. The following organizations and entities shall be11
exempt from this regulation, including permitting:12
1. zoos accredited or certified by either the American Zoo and Aquarium13
Association (AZA) or the Zoological Association of America (ZAA);14
* * *15
F. Permitted Entities. The following organizations and entities may be16
exempted from this regulation after applying for and receiving a permit from the17
department to possess any listed animal under the following conditions:18
* * *19
2. animal sanctuaries accredited or certified by either the American Zoo and20
Aquarium Association (AZA) or the Zoological Association of America (ZAA).21
Permitted sanctuaries are prohibited from exhibiting, breeding, or selling any listed22
animal. Listed animals must be surgically sterilized or separately housed to prevent23
breeding. Listed animals must be housed in such a manner as to prevent public24
contact and in compliance with the enclosure rules provided herein in Subsection I.25
Permitted animal sanctuaries are prohibited from transporting these animals to any26
public building or place where they may come into contact with the public including27
but not limited to schools, hospitals, malls, private residences, or other commercial28
or retail establishments.29 HLS 12RS-632 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 6
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are additions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the1
office of the state register and the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the state register is hereby directed3
to have the amendments to LAC 76:V.115(E)(1) and (F)(2) printed and incorporated into the4
Louisiana Administrative Code.5
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Stuart Bishop HCR No. 6
Current regulation requires the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to regulate the
possession of big exotic cats. Current regulations exempt from the regulations zoos
accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Proposed regulation also exempts those zoos accredited by the Zoological Association of
America.
(Amends LAC 76:V.115(E)(1) and (F)(2))