MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

Senate Bill 2910

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-8-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS RELATED TO WOLF-HYBRIDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 49-8-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-8-5.  The following wild animals are classed as animals inherently dangerous to humans:

          (a)  Order Primates:

              (i)  Family Pongidae (gibbons, orangutan, chimpanzees, siamangs and gorillas) - all species;

              (ii)  Family Cercopithecidae:

                   A.  Genus Macaca (macaques) - all species;

                   B.  Genus Papio (mandrills, drills and baboons) - all species;

                   C.  Theropithecus Gelada (Gelada baboon);

          (b)  Order Carnivora:

              (i)  Family Canidae:

                   A.  Genus Canis (wolves, jackals and dingos; all species, except domestic dogs; does not include crosses between wolves and domestic animals);

                   B.  Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf);

                   C.  Cuon alpinus (red dog);

                   D.  Lycaon pictus (African hunting dog);

              (ii)  Family Ursidae (bears) - all species;

              (iii)  Family Mustelidae - Gulo gulo (wolverine);

              (iv)  Family Hyaenidae (hyenas) - all species;

              (v)  Family Felidae:

                   A.  Genus Leo or Panthera or Neofelis (lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards) - all species;

                   B.  Unica unica (snow leopard);

                   C.  Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah);

                   D.  Felis concolor (cougar) - all subspecies;

          (c)  Order Proboscidae:  Family Elephantidae (elephants) - all species;

          (d)  Order Perissodactyla:  Family Rhinocerotidae (rhinoceroses) - all species;

          (e)  Order Artiodactyla:

              (i)  Family Hippopotamidae - Hippopotamus amphibius (hippopotamus);

              (ii)  Family Bovidae:  Syncerus caffer (African buffalo).

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.