The director may issue a permit for the keeping and maintaining in captivity of wild animals, wild birds, amphibians or reptiles as a roadside menagerie. A permit shall not be issued unless:

Terms Used In West Virginia Code 20-2-52

  • Director: means the Director of the Division of Natural Resources. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2
  • Roadside menagerie: means any place of business, other than a commercial game farm, commercial fish preserve, place or pond, where any wild bird, game bird, unprotected bird, game animal or fur-bearing animal is kept in confinement for the attraction and amusement of the people for commercial purposes. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States and not restricted by the context, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" also include the said district and territories. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10
  • Wild animals: means all mammals native to the State of West Virginia occurring either in a natural state or in captivity, except house mice or rats, and includes coyotes and porcupines and all species of cervids. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2
  • Wild birds: shall include all birds other than: (a) Domestic poultry &mdash. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2
  • Wildlife: means wild birds, wild animals, game and fur-bearing animals, fish (including minnows), reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans and all forms of aquatic life used as fish bait, whether dead or alive. See West Virginia Code 20-1-2

(1) The animals, birds, amphibians or reptiles have been purchased from a licensed commercial dealer, either within or without the state, or have been taken legally; or

(2) The director is satisfied that provisions for housing and care of wildlife to be kept in captivity and for the protection of the public are proper and adequate.

A fee of $25 shall accompany each application for such permit.

  Previous
Next  
 Article 2 Contents