State lawmakers could soon begin talks on a proposed law to tighten restrictions on exotic animal ownership.
The need for change comes after a deadly lion attack at the Conservators Center in Caswell County. On December 30th, a lion attacked and killed 22-year-old Alex Black, an intern at the Center.
State lawmakers returned to Raleigh on Wednesday to begin a new legislative session. On the first day, some lawmakers talked about reviving an idea to put restrictions on exotic animal ownership.
A similar bill failed during the 2015 legislative session. The bill would’ve set requirements for any person or group owning an exotic animal.
“It would require that these sort of conservation and wildlife exotic centers had to go through some sort of accreditation or licensing process because that’s the problem here is that we have nothing like that here in North Carolina,” said Guilford County Representative Pricey Harrison, a Democrat, who was one of the sponsors of the 2015 exotic animal bill.
Harrison said North Carolina is one of a few states that doesn’t prohibit ownership of exotic animals.
"What we really lack right now is any sort of accreditation process,” said Harrison.
“You can have these mom and pop centers that are popping up anywhere in the state and there are just no regulations that prohibit their operation. It's dangerous for the employees or the visitors but it's also bad for the animals."
This is a bipartisan effort.
Guilford County Representative Jon Hardister, a Republican and sponsor of the 2015 bill, said his office has been in contact with the Conservators Center. He said he wants to work with them and collaborate as they look at safety options.