3.03.120 Wild or Exotic Animals

(a) No person shall knowingly possess, harbor, sell, barter, transfer, exchange or import any wild or exotic animal for use as a pet within the territory of Akwesasne, except that this section shall not apply to the following persons and entities with respect to wild or exotic animals owned or harbored by them solely for a purpose other than for use as a pet:

(1) Licensed veterinarians and incorporated humane societies, or animal shelters, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals or animal welfare organizations duly licensed by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe or other recognized licensing authority, in the temporary possession of wild animals;

(2) A person having custody of a wild animal solely for the purpose of transporting it to a licensed veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator, humane society or other entity authorized by this section to handle or treat wild animals;

(b) The Animal Control Officer is hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this section and issue notices of violation to persons in violation of this section, and shall have the authority to seize any wild or exotic animal held in violation of this section. Wild or Exotic animals seized or surrendered pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be transferred to a duly incorporated wildlife sanctuary as defined in this section, or a zoological facility accredited by the American Zoological and Aquarium Association, or shall be humanely euthanized.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who knowingly breeds a wild or exotic animal or knowingly possesses, owns, harbors, sells, barters, transfers, exchanges, or imports a wild or exotic animal for use as a pet in violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to the penalty of not more than $500.00 (five hundred dollars) for the first offense and not more than $1,000.00 (one thousand dollars) for a second and subsequent offenses. Each instance of breeding, owning, harboring, sale, barter, transfer, exchange, or import of a wild or exotic animal in violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

(d) Grandfather Clause: Any person who owns, possesses, keeps or harbors exotic or wild animal(s) on or before the effective date of this chapter shall be permitted to continue ownership or possession as long as they meet all the requirements set in this chapter, however, these animals may not be bred and once they die, they may not be replaced.