87-1-231. Tattooing of bears, wolves, tigers, mountain lions, or coyotes -- when required -- penalty. (1) Any bear, wolf, tiger, mountain lion, or coyote that is captured alive to be later released or which is held in captivity for any purpose must be reported to the department within 3 days of the capture or commencement of captivity. If a person capturing or holding in captivity such animal fails to report an animal as required by this section, such failure is a misdemeanor punishable as provided in 87-1-102.
     (2) Each animal reported as required in subsection (1) shall be permanently tattooed or otherwise permanently identified in a manner that will provide positive individual identification of such animal. No tattoo is required under this section if the animal is subject to a permanent, individual identification process by another state or federal agency.
     (3) Any person holding a bear, wolf, tiger, mountain lion, or coyote in captivity shall immediately report to the department any death, escape, release, transfer of custody, or other disposition of such animal.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 566, L. 1985.