717F.4 Owning or possessing dangerous wild animals on July 1, 2007.

A person who owns or possesses a dangerous wild animal on July 1, 2007, may continue to own or possess the dangerous wild animal subject to all of the following:

1. The person must be eighteen years old or older.

2. a. The person must not have been convicted of an offense involving the abuse or neglect of an animal pursuant to a law of this state or another state, including but not limited to chapter 717, 717B, 717C, or 717D or an ordinance adopted by a city or county.

b. The department, another state, or the federal government must not have suspended an application for a permit or license or revoked a permit or license required to operate a commercial establishment for the care, breeding, or sale of animals, including as provided in chapter 162.

c. The person must not have been convicted of a felony for an offense committed within the last ten years, as provided by this Code, under the laws of another state, or under federal law.

d. The person must not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony for an offense committed within the last ten years involving a controlled substance as defined in section 124.101 in this state, under the laws of another state, or under federal law.

3. Within sixty days after July 1, 2007, the person must have an electronic identification device implanted beneath the skin or hide of the dangerous wild animal, unless a licensed veterinarian states in writing that the implantation would endanger the comfort or health of the dangerous wild animal. In such case, an electronic identification device may be otherwise attached to the dangerous wild animal as required by the department.

4. Not later than December 31, 2007, the person must notify the department using a registration form prepared by the department. The registration form shall include all of the following information:

a. The person’s name, address, and telephone number.

b. A sworn affidavit that the person meets the requirements necessary to own or possess a dangerous wild animal as provided in this section.

c. A complete inventory of each dangerous wild animal which the person owns or possesses. The inventory shall include all of the following information:

(1) The number of the dangerous wild animals according to species.

(2) The manufacturer and manufacturer’s number of the electronic device implanted in or attached to each dangerous wild animal.

(3) The location where each dangerous wild animal is kept. The person must notify the department in writing within ten days of a change of address or location where the dangerous wild animal is kept.

(4) The approximate age, sex, color, weight, scars, and any distinguishing marks of each dangerous wild animal.

(5) The name, business mailing address, and business telephone number of the licensed veterinarian who is responsible for providing care to the dangerous wild animal. The information shall include a statement signed by the licensed veterinarian certifying that the dangerous wild animal is in good health.

(6) A color photograph of the dangerous wild animal.

(7) A copy of a current liability insurance policy as required in this section. The person shall send a copy of the current liability policy to the department each year.

5. The person must pay the department a registration fee as provided in section 717F.8.

6. The person must maintain health and ownership records for the dangerous wild animal for the life of the dangerous wild animal.

7. The person must confine the dangerous wild animal in a primary enclosure as required by the department on the person’s premises. The person must not allow the dangerous wild animal outside of the primary enclosure unless the dangerous wild animal is moved pursuant to any of the following:

a. To receive veterinary care from a licensed veterinarian.

b. To comply with the directions of the department or an animal warden.

c. To transfer ownership and possession of the dangerous wild animal to a wildlife sanctuary or provide for its destruction by euthanasia as required by the department.

8. The person must display at least one sign on the person’s premises where the dangerous wild animal is kept warning the public that the dangerous wild animal is confined there. The sign must include a symbol warning children of the presence of the dangerous wild animal.

9. The person must immediately notify an animal warden or other local law enforcement official of any escape of a dangerous wild animal.

10. The person must maintain liability insurance coverage in an amount of not less than one hundred thousand dollars with a deductible of not more than two hundred fifty dollars, for each occurrence of property damage, bodily injury, or death caused by each dangerous wild animal kept by the person.

11. The person who owns or possesses the dangerous wild animal is strictly liable for any damages, injury, or death caused by the dangerous wild animal. The person must reimburse the department or other public agency for actual expenses incurred by capturing and maintaining custody of the dangerous wild animal.

12. If the person is no longer able to care for the dangerous wild animal, all of the following apply:

a. The person must so notify the department, stating the planned disposition of the dangerous wild animal.

b. The person must dispose of the dangerous wild animal by transferring ownership and possession to a wildlife sanctuary or providing for its destruction by euthanasia as required by the department.

2007 Acts, ch 195, §4

Referred to in §717F.6, 717F.7, 717F.8