D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 19, r. 19-1576

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 49, December 6, 2024

Rule 19-1576 - WILDLIFE PROTECTION: ACCEPTABLE METHODS OF WILDLIFE CONTROL

1576.1

Live traps and exclusion devices may be used to control wildlife.

1576.2

Nets may be used to capture live birds and bats for immediate release.

1576.3

Mist nets must to be checked at least once every hour.

1576.4

Mist nets and rocket nets may be used indoors to capture live birds that are trapped in a building, in accordance with additional guidelines outlined in 50 C.F.R. § 21.12.

1576.5

Wildlife control operators must obtain a federal permit to use a mist net or rocket net outdoors.

1576.6

A live trap may be used to capture a SGCN trapped in a building if they are released immediately onsite, or if sick, injured, or orphaned taken to a licensed rehabilitation facility for care.

1576.7

All live traps and exclusion devices shall be labeled with the name, address, and phone number of the wildlife control services provider.

1576.8

A trap shall be set in a manner designed to catch the target wildlife and in a manner likely to avoid capture of and harm to non-target wildlife.

1576.9

A trap which is set shall be checked at least once every twenty-four (24) hours, or more frequently if environmental conditions require it to prevent harm to any animal.

1576.10

Remote trap technology may be used to check traps.

1576.11

If the remote trap does not send a report or electronic signal to the wildlife control operator or wildlife control services provider for a period of twenty-four (24) hours, the wildlife control operator or services provider shall immediately check the trap.

1576.12

Captured non-target wildlife that is healthy and does not pose an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of persons or domestic animals shall be:

(a) Released immediately at the site of capture; or

(b) Relocated to a suitable location where nuisance problems are unlikely to continue, with the written permission of that property owner.

1576.13

Captured non-target wildlife that is believed to be sick, injured, orphaned, or poses an unreasonable risk to people or domestic animals, or is otherwise unfit for release on site shall be:

(a) Transferred to the District's Animal Care and Control Agency;

(b) Transferred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the District; or

(c) Euthanized in accordance with this section, if no other options are feasible.

1576.14

Captured target wildlife shall be:

(a) Released at the site of capture;

(b) With the written permission of that property owner relocated to a safe location where nuisance problems are unlikely to occur;

(c) Surrendered to the District's Animal Care and Control Agency for evaluation and assessment, if the animal is exhibiting symptoms of disease;

(d) Transferred to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the District, if the animal appears to be sick, injured, or abandoned; or

(e) If no other options are feasible, euthanized in accordance with this section.

1576.15

A wildlife control services provider shall make every reasonable effort to keep dependent young with their parents by:

(a) Using humane eviction or displacement and reuniting strategies; and

(b) Not knowingly abandoning dependent young wildlife in a structure.

1576.16

In the case of an attempt to reunite dependent young, a wildlife control services provider may hold wildlife in captivity at a safe and secure location within the District for up to seventy-two (72) hours once authorized in writing by the Department.

1576.17

A wildlife services provider shall capture, handle, and transport captured wildlife in a manner that prevents or limits unnecessary discomfort, behavioral stress, or physical harm to the animal, including providing protections against weather extremes.

1576.18

Captured wildlife shall be kept in covered, secure safe containers in such a way as to:

(a) Minimize stress to the animal and its exposure to the elements by covering the trap or vehicle with appropriate material;

(b) Ensure that the covering is of such material that the animal has adequate air supply and to prevent overheating; and

(c) Minimize potential hazards to the general public.

1576.19

Wildlife, or parts thereof, shall not be sold, bartered, traded, given to another person, or retained for any purpose, except that an animal may be given to a wildlife rehabilitator, veterinarian, or animal control officer within the District for rehabilitation or euthanasia.

1576.20

If relocation of healthy wildlife or rehabilitation of sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife is not feasible, a wildlife control services provider shall use the available method of euthanasia that is the quickest, least stressful, and least painful to the animal under the circumstances.

1576.21

Euthanasia is acceptable only when using methods that conform to the Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia: 2013 Edition for Free-Ranging Wildlife and Domestic Animals (AVMA Report).

1576.22

On a case-by-case basis, the Department may approve a method of euthanasia, not published in the AVMA Report, which utilizes advancements in technology that minimizes risks to animal welfare, personnel safety, and the environment for a particular set of circumstances.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 19, r. 19-1576

Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 6084 (4/22/2016)