SUBCHAPTER D
PERMITS RELATING TO WILDLIFE
Sec.
2961. Definitions.
2962. Exotic wildlife dealer permits.
2963. Exotic wildlife possession permits.
2964. Menagerie permits.
2965. Exclusions.
§ 2961. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings
given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Educational purposes." Displays by or for public or private schools, sportsmen's organizations, youth organizations,
civic associations, conservation camps and school or any other organization deemed
appropriate by the commission.
"Exotic wildlife." The phrase includes, but is not limited to, all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards,
jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreed of these animals which have
similar characteristics in appearance or features. The definition is applicable whether
or not the birds or animals were bred or reared in captivity or imported from another
state or nation.
"Exotic wildlife dealer." Any person who imports into this Commonwealth, possesses, buys, sells, locates or
finds for a fee, barters, donates, gives away or otherwise disposes of more than one
bird or one animal classified as exotic wildlife by this subchapter.
"Menagerie." Any place where one or more wild birds or wild animals, or one or more birds or animals
which have similar characteristics and appearance to birds or animals wild by nature,
are kept in captivity for the evident purpose of exhibition with or without charge.
Notes of Decisions
Commonwealth v. Reynolds, 876 A.2d 1088 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005).
· cites it 3× “” 34 Pa.C.S. § 2961 (emphasis added). 28 In turn, Section 2961 of the Game Code defines “exotic wildlife” as including, “[b]ut not limited to, all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreed of these animals which have similar…”
Commonwealth v. Raban, 85 A.3d 467 (Pa. 2014).
“7 (citing 34 Pa.C.S. §§ 2961, 2963). The OISR highlights, "while the classic law school illustration may impose absolute liability on the keeper of a tiger, Pennsylvania law .”
Blackhawk v. Pennsylvania, 381 F.3d 202 (3rd Cir. 2004).
“At first, he acquired a “menagerie permit,” but bears are classified under the Game and Wildlife Code as “exotic wildlife,” see 34 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 2961, and special permits are required for those wishing to deal in or possess exotic wildlife.”
Fairview Twp. v. Schaefer, 562 A.2d 989 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1989).
· cites it 4× “) As noted in the majority opinion, tigers are included in the definition of "exotic wildlife" in 34 Pa.C.S. § 2961. The regulations governing the possession of exotic wildlife are found in 58 Pa.”
Stoneback v. Zoning Hearing Bd. of Upper Saucon Twp., 699 A.2d 824 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1997).
“It must be noted, however, that under Section 2961 of the Game and Wildlife Code, 34 Pa.C.S. § 2961, “all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves and any crossbreed of these animals ” are “exotic wildlife,” not domestic animals.”
Old Guard Mut. Ins. v. Quigley, 4 Pa. D. & C.4th 620 (1990).
“The phrase exotic wildlife includes wolves, 34 Pa.C.S. §2961. Thus, even one possessing or giving away a wolf must have a permit or suffer imposition of a penalty for summary offense of first degree!”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.