§ 35-81-101 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby
determines and declares that:

(a) Hybrid canids and felines may pose a significant threat to other animals
and humans because of their unpredictable nature;

(b) Wolf hybrids in particular may pose a threat to humans and have been
declared responsible for killing two children each year in the United States;

(c) Ten states prohibit the breeding and maintenance of wolf hybrids;

(d) Most hybrid canids and felines are abandoned or killed when they reach
two to three years of age and exhibit their wild nature, and some ultimately are
contained in hybrid-animal refuges.

(2) The general assembly further determines that problems caused by hybrid
canids and felines, and the lack of definitive information concerning the same,
warrant a study of:

(a) The behavior of such animals;

(b) The extent of the problem in this state resulting from or projected to
result from hybrid canids and felines;

(c) The regulation of the breeding, care, and maintenance of hybrid canids
and felines that is necessary to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the
residents of this state and livestock and other animal life.

Legislative History

Source: L. 97: Entire article added, p. 553, � 1, effective April 24.