Associated Press Published

Board to Revise List of W.Va. Dangerous Animals

Bengal Tiger

  A board asked to produce a list of animals that are illegal to keep as pets in West Virginia plans to amend an earlier list after receiving public comments.

The original list developed by the Wild and Dangerous Animal Board includes chimpanzees, crocodiles, giraffes, elephants, piranha, and several types of pythons. But it also includes some types of birds, turtles, tetra fish and geckos.

The Charleston Gazette reports the board Thursday decided to have a subcommittee work on a compromise.

The law passed this year clamps down on new animals brought into West Virginia. Residents who already own creatures on the list can keep them if they get a board permit, pay a fee and not breed or replace the animals.

The comment period ends Aug. 1.