TITLE 3

Agriculture

Domestic and Foreign Animals, Birds, Reptiles and Insects

CHAPTER 72. Possession of Mammals or Reptiles Exotic to Delaware

§ 7201. Possession; permit required.

No person shall bring into this State, possess, sell or exhibit any live wild mammal or hybrid of a wild mammal or live reptile not native to or generally found in Delaware without first securing a permit under this chapter. The Department of Agriculture may adopt regulations to exempt such mammals and reptiles that do not represent a significant threat to community interests from the provisions of this chapter. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, except for medical or psychological research or for display in any licensed zoological park or traveling circus, no person shall bring into this State, possess, sell or exhibit any poisonous snake not native to or generally found in Delaware where the venom of such snake poses a risk of serious injury or death to a human, and no permit for the same shall be issued by the Department of Agriculture.

3 Del. C. 1953, §  7201;  57 Del. Laws, c. 55369 Del. Laws, c. 84, §  172 Del. Laws, c. 285, §  1

§ 7202. Permit; rules and regulations; exemptions.

The Department of Agriculture shall enforce this chapter and may issue a permit where the possession or exhibition of a live wild mammal or hybrid of a wild mammal or live reptile will be in the public interest, and may promulgate rules and regulations for the proper enforcement of this chapter. The Department may designate agencies authorized to conduct animal cruelty enforcement and/or dog control enforcement to enforce the provisions of this chapter. The Department shall receive a fee of $25 for each and every permit issued. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent the use of any live wild mammal or hybrid of a wild mammal or live reptile in medical or psychological research or for display in any municipal zoological park or traveling circus after issuance of a permit.

3 Del. C. 1953, §  7202;  57 Del. Laws, c. 55367 Del. Laws, c. 260, §  167 Del. Laws, c. 277, §  169 Del. Laws, c. 84, §  1

§ 7203. Penalties.

Whoever violates this chapter shall for each offense be fined not more than $500, imprisoned not more than 30 days, or both. Justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction over offenses under this chapter.

3 Del. C. 1953, §  7203;  57 Del. Laws, c. 553.