71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 3471
 
                         House Bill 2967
 
Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Allows cougars or bears posing threat to human safety to be
taken without license or tag. Defines threat to human safety.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to dangerous wildlife.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + Section 2 of this 2001 Act is added to and made
a part of the wildlife laws. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) Notwithstanding the licensing and tag
requirements of ORS 497.102 and 497.112, a person may take a
cougar or bear that poses a threat to human safety.
  (2) Any person who takes a cougar or bear pursuant to
subsection (1) of this section shall immediately report the
taking to a person authorized to enforce the wildlife laws and
shall dispose of the animal in such manner as the State Fish and
Wildlife Commission directs.
  (3) Any regional office of the department ordering the disposal
of an animal under subsection (2) of this section shall file a
report with the State Fish and Wildlife Director within 30 days
after the disposal. The report shall include but need not be
limited to the disposition of the animal, the events leading to
the taking of the animal and any injury caused by the animal to
humans or domesticated animals. The director shall compile all
reports received under this subsection on a bimonthly basis. The
reports compiled by the director shall be available to the public
upon request.
  (4) As used in this section, 'threat to human safety' means the
exhibition by a cougar or bear of one or more of the following
behaviors:
  (a) Aggressive actions directed toward a person or persons,
including but not limited to charging, false charging, growling,
teeth popping and snarling.
  (b) Breaking into, or attempting to break into, a residence.
  (c) Attacking a pet or domestic animal as defined in ORS
167.310.
  (d) Loss of wariness of humans, displayed through repeated
sightings of the animal during the day near humans. + }
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