(a) Prohibition. A person may not keep or permit to be kept on the person's premises any wild animal, exotic animal, or vicious animal as a pet or for display or exhibition purposes, whether gratuitously or for a fee. Small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, mice, rats, other small rodents, rabbits, ferrets, birds, fish, and nonpoisonous amphibians and reptiles are not considered wild animals or exotic animals. The keeping of skunks, raccoons and opossums is illegal.
(b) Public contact. The collection of animals on any premises whereby the public is permitted or encouraged to have physical contact with animals on display, but not including pet shops, is prohibited. This section does not apply to zoological parks, and performing animal exhibitions or circuses if the animal exhibitions or circuses are licensed under the provisions of § 12-4-806 and § 11-2-401 of this Code.
(c) Exclusion. The prohibitions of this section do not apply to a wild animal or exotic animal owned, maintained, or kept on premises before September 5, 1980 if a permit for the animal was issued by the Agency not later than November 4, 1980, but the prohibitions apply to the offspring of the animals. The provisions of this section do not apply to any wild or exotic animal or its owner if such animal or owner is specifically registered or licensed under express provisions of a federal or State statue or regulation enacted or adopted for the purpose of animal regulation and protection.
(1985 Code, Art. 12, § 9-102) (Bill No. 41-01)