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Wis. GOP Pursuing Bill Banning Dangerous Exotic Animal Ownership

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A legislative committee is set to hold a public hearing on a Republican bill that would prohibit people from owning dangerous exotic animals.

The measure includes a list of dangerous exotic animals that includes lions, tigers, polar bears, apes and crocodilians. People who own a dangerous exotic animal when the bill takes effect could continue to possess the creature if he registers the animal with his local municipality.

Sen. Van Wanggaard introduced the bill in September after police, animal control officers and the state Department of Natural Resources spent days searching for a mysterious lion-like creature roaming the streets of Milwaukee. Animal control officials believe the animal as a released or escaped lion.

The Assembly consumer protection committee was scheduled to convene the hearing Tuesday morning in the state Capitol.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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