Title 27, Chapter 1-2 (75)”Wild animal” means any animal which is not wildlife and is not normally a domestic species in this state. This term specifically includes any hybrid or cross between any combination of a wild animal, wildlife, and a domestic animal. Offspring from all subsequent generations of such crosses or hybrids are wild animals.
SECTION 1.
http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2006/27/27-5-5.html
27-5-5. (a) The following animals are considered to be inherently dangerous to human beings and are subject to the license or permit and insurance requirements provided for in subsection (f) of Code Section 27-5-4: (1) Class Mammalia: (A) Order Marsupialia: Family Macropodidae: Genus Macropus (Kangaroos) — All species; (B) Order Primates: (i) Family Pongidae (gibbons, orang-utan, chimpanzees, siamangs, and gorillas) — All species; (ii) Family Cercopithecidae: (I) Genus Macaca (macaques) — All species; (II) Genus Papio (mandrills, drills, and baboons) — All species; (III) Theropithecus gelada (Gelada baboon); (C) Order Carnivora: (i) Family Canidae: (I) Genus Canis (wolves, jackals, and dingos); all species; except that any person possessing hybrid crosses between wolves and domestic animals on July 1, 1994, shall have until July 1, 1995, to apply for a fee-exempt permit to possess these animals as pets; provided, however, that the said hybrid is sexually neutered; provided, further, that it shall be unlawful to transfer possession or ownership of said hybrid without prior written approval from the department. Liability insurance shall not be mandatory for wolf hybrids possessed under this fee-exempt permit
Code Section 27_5_5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to wild animals for which a license or permit is required, is amended by striking subparagraph (b)(1)(K) and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
“(K) Order Carnivora (weasels, ferrets, cats, bears, wolves, etc.) All species, except that a European ferret (Mustela putorius furo) or a domestic Bengal cat may be sold, purchased, exhibited, or held as a pet without a license or permit; provided, however, that the ferret owner can provide valid documentation that the ferret was sexually neutered prior to seven months of age and is vaccinated against rabies with a properly administered vaccine approved for use on ferrets by the United States Department of Agriculture; and provided further that as used in this subparagraph, the term ‘domestic Bengal cat’ shall include only the hybrid offspring of Asian leopard cats (felis bengalansis) which have been recognized by registration in a national cat fancy organization as the domestic breed of Bengal cat, provided such registration shall not include any animal less than four generations removed from an Asian leopard cat;”.
Further clarification regarding Bengals from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources:
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Game Management Policy Statement
Policy No: B3 Effective Date: 07/01/05 Page 1 of 1
Supercedes: Revised: Authority: Chief of Game
Subject: Bengal Cats Ref:
1. The purpose of this policy is to clarify license requirements for Bengal Cats.
2. The OCGA 27-1-2 defines wild animals as any non-domestic species not native to this state. This definition also states that any hybrid between any wild animal and any domestic animal shall be treated just as the wild animal from which it originated. The Department maintains a strict interpretation of this definition, which remains important to prevent abuse of the wild animal licensing requirements through selective domestic dilution.
3. The definition of wild animals is codified and therefore may not be amended by the Department; however, the Department is not charged with regulation or control of domestic animals. The Department will no longer regulate certain Bengal cats as wild animals and will make the determination that those animals adhering to the standards herein will not be subject to enforcement under the Code. Bengal Cats shall be considered a domestic breed if all the following conditions are met:
1) Animals are at least F4 crosses (four generations removed from Leopard Cats).
2) Animals are registered with a nationally recognized cat-fancier organizations as “Bengal cats”.
3) Animal owners have proof of origin of animals.
4) Animals are permanently tatooed or microchipped with identifying information indicating the animal in question is the same as described in all required paperwork.
5) Animal’s appearance must generally adhere to those recognized and described traits for the breed.
4. A wild animal license or permit is required for all Bengal cats that do not meet the five conditions above.
10/21/11
Disclaimer: Please check all local, city, county, township, homeowners’ ordinances in your area first before acquiring any hybrid or exotic animals.