Which exotic/wild animals are regulated or restricted in the county I live in (Iredell, NC)?
I am interested in owning quite an exotic animal, but all I've found about this was that it is considered wild in my specific county. Here in North Carolina, our regulations and restrictions are specified by county ordinances and not as a whole state law. I want to own an Arctic Fox, after attempting some thorough research I've come to find out the snow fox is considered to be in the Canidae family (duh..) and is classified WILD rather than EXOTIC. Furthermore, I need a WRC license acknowledging I own the wild animal, if it can be registered to begin with.
It's a simple yes or no question really, as far as for the animal I wish to own. I threw all those details in because if I'm going to own one, I'm going to show my responsibility of having him/her.
So the question, In Iredell County of North Carolina, which animals are restricted and regulated? Or more specifically, can I own the fox I want?
I appreciate all help from the community here to bring a conclusion to my question! All I can give you is ten points, if I could, I'd give you a thousand. Anyway, I'll greatly thank you to bring my confusion to an end.
?2011-11-23T06:25:05Z
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You cannot.
Here is your county's department of animal services http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/Departments/Animal_Control/animal.asp
It says so here http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/Departments/Animal_Control/forms/ICHS_Ord_Changes-August2008.pdf That they are classified as a wild animal and it is an offence to own one.
It says here http://www.co.iredell.nc.us/Departments/Animal_Control/forms/Fees_and_Fines_Schedule.pdf That owning an animal classified as wild is a level 4 offence, the highest you can get.
If you want to own one then you need to apply for a restricted species permit from your state http://www.ncwildlife.org/Licensing.aspx which I'm telling you now will involve some fees. Not just a permit fee, but also an inspection fee. Both your animals and your "facility" must be inspected at least twice a year and you have to pay for those including a yearly permit renewal. If the inspection takes longer than two hours or has to be repeated then you're charged extra.
To apply for a permit and pass inspection, an artic fox enclosure requires a 6 foot high fence and 80 square feet for one animal, 100 for two, and then another 40 square feet per every animal added onto that. It's the exact same basic requirements for a bat-eared fox actually. You will also need to keep a detailed daily log... In my state you will also need a letter of recommendation from the zoo or facility where you gained your experience, but I know mine is sticter than yours.
COPY AND PASTE FROM YOUR COUNTY'S LAWBOOK
"(1) Wild animals dangerous to humans and property. Wild animals are any animals not normally domesticated. For purposes of this chapter, wild animals are deemed inherently dangerous. They are deemed as such because of their vicious propensities and capabilities, the likely gravity of harm inflicted by their attack and unpredictability despite attempts at domestication. The category of wild animals includes but is not limited to: a. Members of the Canidae family such as wolves (canis lupus) and coyotes (canis latrans) and wolf-coyote hybrids."
COPY AND PASTED AGAIN
"(g) Wild animals and exotic animals. (1) This subsection shall apply to all animals defined as a wild or exotic animal in section 3-1. Neither this subsection or any section of this chapter shall have the effect of permitting any activity or condition with respect to the state which is prohibited or more severely restricted by the state statutes or the state Wildlife Resources Commission, or of permitting any activity or condition with respect to any animal which is prohibited or more severely restricted by federal statute or regulation. (2) It shall be unlawful for any owner or other person to possess or harbor a wild animal or exotic animal as heretofore defined within the county. (3) Exemptions: The following shall be exempt from subsection 3-8(h): a. Veterinary clinics and licensed rehab centers in possession of such animals for treatment or rehabilitation purposes. b. Any institution licensed by appropriate state and/or federal agencies that exist primarily to educate the public in the areas of science and nature. c. Bona fide traveling circuses certified by the United States Department of Agriculture and any non-resident carnivals and fairs are exempt for not longer than two weeks (14 days) per each separate location where such events are held within the county, per calendar year. d. Persons temporarily transporting such mammals or reptiles through the county provided that such transit time should not be more than twenty-four (24) hours. e. Zoological parks, petting zoos and marine mammal show licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture. (Ord. of 5-6-86, § VII; Ord. of 4-4-89, § VII; Ord. of 6-1-99, § II; Ord. of 3-4-03; Ord. of 6-3-03) 2008 Animal Control Ordinance Revisions Effective 10/01/08 w/ Approval of Fee Schedule"
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