Legislation to Phase Out Ownership of Dangerous Pets Passed by Senate

The Oregon Senate announced earlier this month that it had passed legislation to phase out the right to own exotic pets, including non-domestic cats, non-human primates, non-domestic dogs, crocodiles, and alligators. The Senate bill follows on the heels of a tragic incident in Connecticut involving a pet chimpanzee.

Currently, Oregonians receive permits from the State Department of Agriculture for the keeping of exotic pets. The Senate's bill, SB 391, will move the majority of the permitting process to the USDA and give current owners up to a year to renew their permit and then discontinue issuing permits after that date.

The bill has moved to the House for consideration.

About the Author

Tom D'Amore is the founder of D'Amore Law Group and a trial attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured people and their families across the West Coast, securing more than $325 million in recoveries. He handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, construction injuries, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse. Licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California, Tom is the only NBTA board-certified truck accident attorney in Oregon. He is a national Board of Governors member, past Executive Committee member, and past Budget and Audit Chair of the American Association for Justice, as well as past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.