{"data":{"id":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-19-34-8","jurisdiction":"us-wv","citation":"W. Va. Code § 19-34-8","heading":"Exemptions.","body":"(a) The permitting provisions of this article do not apply to:\n(1) Institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or an AZA-certified facility;\n(2) An animal control or law-enforcement agency or officer acting under the authority of this article;\n(3) Licensed veterinary hospitals or clinics treating dangerous wild animals;\n(4) A licensed or accredited research medical institution;\n(5) A research facility as defined in the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. §2132(e), as amended;\n(6) A circus that is an incorporated, Class C licensee under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. §2132(e), as amended;\n(7) A person displaying dangerous wild animals at a fair or festival that is a licensed exhibitor under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U.S.C. §2132(e), as amended; and\n(8) A person temporarily transporting a dangerous wild animal through the state, if the transit time is not more than forty-eight hours and the animal is at all times confined sufficiently to prevent escape.\n(b) Qualified exemption. -– The permitting provisions of this article do not apply to exhibitors or dealers licensed as of January 1, 2014, under the Animal Welfare Act, 7 U. S. C. §2132(e), as amended, and at the time the rules become effective and who continue to have a valid exhibitor or dealer license. The board may revoke this exemption as to exhibitors or dealers that have repeated, uncorrected citations in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, a conviction for violation of an animal cruelty statute or a violation of sections seven or nine of this article.","path":["CHAPTER 19. AGRICULTURE.","ARTICLE 34. DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS ACT."],"source_url":"https://code.wvlegislature.gov/19-34-8/","current_through":"as of 2026-08-03; contains at least the enactments of the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T00:25:27Z","sha256":"83453b727a3e783faf6d03e71e901d2d6abf7b060bd0ca751e3394451ae2b069","source_id":"us-wv","stale":true,"prev":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-19-34-7","next":"us-wv/w.-va.-code-19-34-9"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}