Officials Mull New Rules concerning Wildlife Ownership

A group of residents who collect, breed and sell reptiles are opposing new rules proposed for Maine's animal owners.

The Kennebec Journal reports the group turned out Tuesday in Augusta to oppose the rules, which would outline wildlife residents can own.

The rules would also allow the state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to impose steeper fines on those who keep wildlife illegally, change the permitting process for keeping wildlife and give third party contractors the ability to inspect wildlife facilities.

An animal rights activist supported the proposal and says she hopes it will shut down "backyard zoo" operations.

But many in attendance were against the changes. Many reptiles are prohibited in the changes and speakers argued they would need to leave the state if the rules passed. (AP)