State lawmakers call exotic animals bill 'common sense' proposal

MADISON — The authors of a bill that would outlaw possession of dangerous exotic animals are telling a legislative committee the measure is a common sense proposal that will keep police safe.

The bill includes a list of dangerous exotic animals that includes lions, apes and crocodilians. People who own one when the bill takes effect could continue to possess the creature if he registers it with the local municipality.

Sen. Van Wanggaard and Rep. Samantha Kerkman, the bill's authors, told the Assembly consumer protection committee during a hearing Tuesday that the bill would keep police who have to deal with exotic animals safe and spare municipalities the expense of searching for escaped animals.

The lawmakers introduced the bill after Milwaukee authorities spent days this summer searching for a lion-like creature.