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Reptile: Related Statutes

Statute Name	Citation	Summary
CA - Protected Reptiles & Amphibians - Division 5. Protected Reptiles and Amphibians	CA FISH & G � 5000 - 5062	These sections are the California statutes that specifically protect certain reptiles and amphibians. The sections enumerate the protected species and strictly prohibit taking and possession, with a narrow exception that may be granted by permit to an educational or scientific institution or a public zoological garden.
CT - Exotic Pets - � 26-40a. Possession of potentially dangerous animal; Chapter 490. Fisheries and Game	CT ST � 26-1, � 26-40a; � 26-54, 55, 61	These Connecticut states reflect the state's laws on the keeping of wild animals. Under § 26-40a, no person shall possess a potentially dangerous animal, which includes wildlife such as the lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi cat, puma, lynx, bobcat, wolf, coyote, all species of bears, gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan. The Department of Environmental Protection shall issue a bill to the owner or person in illegal possession of such potentially dangerous animal for all costs of seizure, care, maintenance, relocation or disposal of such animal. Additionally, any person who violates any provision of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed $2000, and is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Under § 26-55, no person shall import or introduce into the state, possess or let loose, any live fish, wild bird, wild mammal, reptile, amphibian or invertebrate unless such person has obtained a permit. Again, a violator is responsible for expenses from the seizure, maintenance, and relocation of the illegally imported animal. The penalty includes a civil fine up to $1000 and results in a class C misdemeanor.
CT - Fisheries & Wildlife - Chapter 490. Fisheries and Game	CT ST � 26-1	Definitions for the Connecticut Statute for Fisheries and Wildlife
FL - Definitions - Animal Definitions	FL ST � 828.02	The word "animal" shall be held to include every living dumb creature.
GA - Alligators - Article 7. Feeding of Wild Alligators	GA ST � 27-3-170	This Georgia law makes it illegal to willfully feed or bait any wild alligator not in captivity. Violation is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $200 or confinement up to 30 days, or both.
ME - Exotic Pets - Subchapter 15. Wildlife Importation and Possession, Permits and Requirements,	ME ST T. 12 � 12151 - 12161	These Maine statutes prohibit keeping wildlife in captivity, importing, breeding or releasing wildlife into the wild, with exceptions for a person holding a license. Taking reptiles, amphibians, and certain nonmarine invertebrates from the wild is also prohibited without a license. Provisions for the disposition of wolf hybrids are included. Penalties for violations incur fines that range from $100 to $500. Three or more such violations are considered to be a Class E criminal offense.
NV - Wildlife - Chapter 501. Administration and Enforcement.	NV ST � 501.097	"Wildlife" means any wild mammal, wild bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, mollusk or crustacean found naturally in a wild state, whether indigenous to Nevada or not and whether raised in captivity or not.
NV - Wildlife - Chapter 504. Wildlife Management and Propagation.	NAC 504.471	This administrative provision restricts the shipment, transportation and exportation of wildlife subject to limited exceptions.
TN - Dangerous Animals - � 39-17-101. Dangerous snakes or reptiles; handling	TN ST � 39-17-101	This Tennessee law makes it an offense for a person to display, exhibit, handle, or use a poisonous or dangerous snake or reptile in a manner that endangers the life or health of any person. Violation is a Class C misdemeanor.
US - Importation - CHAPTER 3. ANIMALS, BIRDS, FISH, AND PLANTS	18 USCS � 42	Under this federal law, no importation of certain listed animals is permitted. Whoever violates this section, or any regulation issued pursuant thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
US - Importation - Fraud and False Statements	18 USC � 1001	Under this federal law, fraudulent statements, orally or in writing, may result in a fine and or imprisonment.
US - Importation - Mailing of Injurious Article	18 USCS � 1716	All kinds of poison, all articles and compositions containing poison, all poisonous animals, insects, reptiles, all explosives, inflammable materials, infernal machines, and mechanical, chemical, or other devices or compositions which may ignite or explode, all disease germs or scabs, and all other natural or artificial articles, compositions, or material which may kill or injure another, or injure the mails or other property, whether or not sealed as first-class matter, are nonmailable matter and shall not be conveyed in the mails or delivered from any post office or station thereof, nor by any officer or employee of the Postal Service.
US - Lacey Act - Conspiracy Statute	18 USC � 371	If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. If, however, the offense, the commission of which is the object of the conspiracy, is a misdemeanor only, the punishment for such conspiracy shall not exceed the maximum punishment provided for such misdemeanor.
US - Smuggling - Anti-Smuggling Statute	18 USCA � 545	This federal law provides punishment for smuggling merchandise (including animals) into the United States.
US - Taxation - Evading Tax	26 U.S.C. � 7201	This federal law provides that any person who willfully evades or attempts to evade taxes shall be guilty of a felony.
US - Trade - Tariff Act of 1930	19 USCA � 1481	This federal law outlines the requirements for importation invoices.