3 Del. Admin. Code § 903-4.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 903-4.0 - The State Veterinarian Powers; Duties

4.1 The State Veterinarian is responsible for administering and enforcing these regulations. The State Veterinarian has the power to grant, deny, or revoke permits to own or have custody of exotics in this state.

4.2 The State Veterinarian is vested with the power to designate agencies to seize and when warranted to humanely destroy an exotic if necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare and to protect the health of other animals. The State Veterinarian or his/her agent can humanely destroy an exotic without first notifying the exotic animal's owner or custodian.

4.3 The State Veterinarian will designate a list of exotic animals that are exempt from the permitting requirement (regulation 6.1). The State Veterinarian will review the list and may add or delete species when suggested by the public through the rule making process and with sufficient documentation for the requested species. Pursuant to 29 Del.C. § 10119, the State Veterinarian may change the list of exotic animals that are exempt from the permitting requirement at any time in response to current animal and human health and safety concerns.

4.4 The State Veterinarian will designate exotic animals in the Herbivore and Reptile Classes that are prohibited from being bred by Sales Permit Holders (regulation 7.5.2.10). The State Veterinarian will review the list and may add or delete species prohibited from being bred when suggested by the public through the rule making process and with sufficient documentation for the requested species. Pursuant to 29 Del.C. § 10119, the State Veterinarian may change the list of exotic animals in the Herbivore and Reptile Classes that are prohibited from being bred at any time in response to current animal and human health and safety concerns.

4.5 The State Veterinarian is charged with preventing the introduction and spread of contagious and infectious diseases into and within the domestic animal population of the state, therefore:

4.5.1 The State Veterinarian can prohibit activities by any Permit class if there is a threat to domestic animals in the state.

4.5.2 The State Veterinarian can prohibit Accredited Zoo Permit and Sales Permit holders from breeding exotics if there is a threat to domestic animals in the state.

4.6 The State Veterinarian or his/her agents must be allowed access to the exotics and to the premises that house exotics.

4.7 The State Veterinarian will not issue Individual, Exhibitor or Sales permits for gila monsters, beaded lizards or komodo dragons.

3 Del. Admin. Code § 903-4.0