House Bill 1

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-8-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLASSIFY POISONOUS OR VENOMOUS SNAKES AS ANIMALS INHERENTLY DANGEROUS TO HUMANS FOR PURPOSES OF THE CHAPTER OF LAW REGARDING THE IMPORTATION, SALE AND POSSESSION OF INHERENTLY DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS; 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, including 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;

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

(e) Order Artiodactyla:

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

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

(f) Suborder Serpentes: Snakes - all poisonous or venomous species.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.