Categories of nontraditional livestock

1. Nontraditional livestock category 1 species: a. Category 1 species of nontraditional livestock are species generally considered domestic, or other species that are not inherently dangerous, that do not pose a health risk to humans, domestic animals, or wild animals, and do not pose a hazard to the environment, as determined by the board. b. Category 1 species of nontraditional livestock includes turkeys, geese, and ducks morphologically distinguishable from wild turkeys, geese, ducks, pigeons, rabbits, ratites, chinchilla, Guinea fowl, ranch foxes, ranch mink, peafowl, all pheasants, quail, chukar, hedgehog, degus, and other species as ordered by the board. c. Category 1 species of nontraditional livestock do not require a nontraditional livestock license, but owners must otherwise comply with the rules in this title. 2. Nontraditional livestock category 2 species: a. Category 2 species of nontraditional livestock are certain protected species or those species that may pose health risks to humans or animals or may be environmentally hazardous, as determined by the board. b. Category 2 species of nontraditional livestock includes the following species and their hybrids, all nondomestic ungulates, including all deer (cervidae) and pronghorn, zebras, nondomestic cats not listed in category 3, waterfowl, shorebirds, upland game birds not listed in category 1, crows, wolverines, otters, bats, martens, fishers, kit or swift foxes, badgers, coyotes, mink, red and gray foxes, muskrats, beavers, weasels, opossums, prairie dogs, and other ground squirrels, other species as ordered by the board and the following varieties of sheep: black Hawaiian, Corsican, painted desert, multi-horned hair, New Mexico dall, Texas dall, and desert sand. 3. Nontraditional livestock category 3 species: a. Category 3 species of nontraditional livestock are species that pose special concerns, including species which are inherently dangerous or environmentally hazardous. b. Category 3 species of nontraditional livestock includes the following species and their hybrids: (1) All wild species of the family suidae, except swine considered domestic in the state by the board. (2) Big cats, including mountain lion, jaguar, leopard, lion, tiger, and cheetah. (3) Bears. (4) Wolves. (5) Venomous reptiles and nonvenomous injurious reptiles. (6) Primates. (7) Nondomestic sheep and nondomestic goats not listed in nontraditional livestock category 2. (8) Other species as ordered by the board. 4. Unless the state veterinarian determines it is necessary based on disease incidence information or human health or safety concerns, the following are exempt from the importation permit and certificate of veterinary inspection requirement: a. Arachnids. b. Invertebrates. c. Tropical freshwater and saltwater fish. d. Gerbils. e. Guinea pigs. f. Hamsters. g. Mice. h. Rats. i. Sugar gliders. j. Ova, semen, eggs or embryos of nontraditional livestock. 5. The board may prohibit, by policy or rule, ownership or possession of any animal deemed to be a significant threat to human or animal health in the state. a. Skunks and raccoons may not be imported into the state for any purpose. (1) If the state veterinarian determines that a skunk or raccoon is being kept in captivity in violation of North Dakota Century Code section 36-01-08.4, the state veterinarian may serve upon the owner or keeper of such skunk or raccoon a notice of intent to confiscate the animal. (2) The owner or keeper of the animal may request a hearing within ten days of receipt of the notice. Such a hearing, if requested, must be conducted by an administrative law judge, who shall make a recommended decision to the board. (3) If the owner or keeper of the animal does not request a hearing within the prescribed time period, the state veterinarian may confiscate and place the animal at a licensed zoo, if feasible, or have it humanely destroyed. (4) The state veterinarian may obtain the assistance of agents and employees of other state agencies or local law enforcement officials in carrying out this chapter and North Dakota Century Code section 36-01-08.4. 6. Nontraditional livestock not otherwise referred to in this section or Century Code must be reviewed by the board for determination of importation requirements and licensure requirements prior to importation. 7. Reclassification of any species is contingent upon scientific information indicating the risks posed by these species to native wildlife populations and domestic animals and must be reviewed by the board.