ARC 0632D

ARC 0632D

AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT[21]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rulemaking related to dangerous wild animals
and providing an opportunity for public comment

    The Agriculture and Land Stewardship Department hereby proposes to rescind Chapter 77, “Dangerous Wild Animals,” Iowa Administrative Code, and to adopt a new Chapter 77 with the same title.

Legal Authority for Rulemaking

    This rulemaking is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 717F.2.

State or Federal Law Implemented

    This rulemaking implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 717F.

Purpose and Summary

    This proposed rulemaking rescinds and replaces Chapter 77 to streamline dangerous wild animal rules by removing provisions that duplicate Iowa Code chapter 717F and retaining administrative and animal-care requirements. This proposed rulemaking retains provisions addressing notification of insurance cancellation or reduction, lifetime health and ownership records, enclosure conditions, warning signs, and relinquishment. This proposed rulemaking also requires an owner to immediately notify the Department, in addition to an animal warden or other local law enforcement official, when a dangerous wild animal escapes and updates the euthanasia reference to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2020 guidelines. These changes are intended to reduce repetition and clarify responsibilities for animal care and public safety.

Regulatory Analysis

    A Regulatory Analysis for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on July 8, 2026. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

     ?   July 29, 2026

Fiscal Impact

     This rulemaking has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

    After analysis and review of this rulemaking, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

    Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rulemaking would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Department for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 7—Chapter 2504.

Public Comment

     Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rulemaking, which must be received by the Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 20, 2026. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

     No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)“b,” an oral presentation regarding this rulemaking may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

    The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rulemaking by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rulemaking at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

    The following rulemaking action is proposed:

    ITEM 1.  Rescind 21—Chapter 77 and adopt the following new chapter in lieu thereof:

CHAPTER 77

DANGEROUS WILD ANIMALS

21—77.1(717F) Continued ownership.

    77.1(1) Insurance. The contents of the insurance policy must provide for notification to the department if the policy is canceled or reduced.

    77.1(2) Records. The person who continues to own or possess a dangerous wild animal must maintain health and ownership records for the dangerous wild animal for the life of the animal, including deaths and cause of each death; the complete name, address and telephone number of the person to whom an animal was transferred or sold; the date the animal was transferred or sold; and the current location of each animal’s records.

    77.1(3) Enclosure. The person who continues to own or possess a dangerous wild animal must confine the dangerous wild animal in a primary enclosure on the person’s premises. The primary enclosure should be of sound construction and maintained in good repair to protect the animal from injury. Construction materials and maintenance shall allow the animal to be kept clean. The animal should be housed or caged in a manner that allows the animal to perform the normal behavior patterns of its species and prevents disease, liberation, or accidental injury to the animal and the public. The animal should have adequate food, shelter, ventilation, and lighting for its species. Appropriate sanitation measures must be taken. Food supplies and bedding materials must be adequate, appropriate, and sanitary. Equipment must be available for the removal and disposal of waste materials to minimize vermin infestation, odors, and disease hazards.

    77.1(4) Signs. The person who continues to own or possess a dangerous wild animal must display at least one visible, readable sign with suitable wording on the person’s premises where the dangerous wild animal is kept warning the public that the dangerous wild animal is confined there.

21—77.2(717F) Escape notification. The person who continues to own or possess a dangerous wild animal must immediately notify an animal warden or other local law enforcement official and the department of any escape of a dangerous wild animal.

21—77.3(717F) Relinquishment. If the person who continues to own or possess a dangerous wild animal is no longer able to care for the animal, both of the following shall apply:

    1.   The person must so notify the department, stating the planned disposition of the dangerous wild animal.

    2.   The person must dispose of the dangerous wild animal by transferring ownership and possession to a wildlife sanctuary or providing for its destruction by euthanasia according to the American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals: 2020 Edition.

These rules are intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 717F.