Bill On Nuisance Animals Passes

SLUG: 011713ANIMALS

 

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By Daily News-Record

 

HARRISONBURG — A measure to expand when residents are allowed to shoot certain nuisance animals passed the House Committee on Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources on Wednesday.

 

Del. Tony Wilt, R-Broadway, proposed the bill allowing landowners to shoot or trap “fur-bearing” animals, such as raccoons and beavers, during the closed hunting season without having to obtain a kill permit.

 

Current regulations require the permit issued by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

 

The actions would be permissible only when the animals cause damage to crops or property, pose a threat to human safety or otherwise cause a nuisance, the bill says.

 

Wilt could not be reached Wednesday afternoon for comment.

 

Contact Preston Knight at 574-6272 or pknight@dnronline.com