Lion Rug legal to sell in california?

Submitted by Larry Lugar on 04/13/2004 at 21:19. ( be-nice@cheerful.com ) 68.111.173.29

Hi.

I have a Lion skin rug.
I live in San Diego, CA.

I placed an ad for it in my local newspaper classifieds, only to find out that the paper won't allow me to list such an item claiming it's "unlawful".

It's dated back in the 1900. so it's an antique.
May I legally list this lion rug for sale in my state?

I searched the web for the answer but I can't seem to find it. If you know the answer, please tell me.

Thank you, Larry Lugar

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Ask the paper to tell you what the laws are!

This response submitted by JOhn C on 04/13/2004 at 21:48. ( ) 66.233.157.155

Stupid people do stupid things, many fricken bunny huggers just assume its illegal. It in fact may well be legal and they dont know the law. Call your game and fish commision. Links upper right hand corner and click on it.

I am told Mt. Lion and bear are illegal to sell in your state, but I think african lions may be ok, EBAY allows people to sell them often.


I am not a Californian

This response submitted by Tenbears on 04/13/2004 at 21:51. ( ) 152.163.252.164

But as far as I know Lions are legal to posses, And sell in all 50 as long as they were legally acquired. Now Mountain loins are protected in California. and cannot be sold. Maybe the news paper is confused.


California Penal Code 653o

This response submitted by Greg on 04/15/2004 at 14:41. ( ) 161.149.63.106

I've conducted some research recently and talked to Calif. Fish and Wildlife on some similar issues. Calif. is extremely conservative compared to other states and laws get confusing and complex.

The Calif. Fish and Game directed me to the California Penal Code 653o (that's the letter "O", not zero) which will probably have the information that you are looking for. It's available on the Web.

Also Calif. Codes 2082, 2050 have some information. (www.leginfo.ca.gov)

The list of animals that are illegal to buy or sell in California are listed in 653o. A Lion is not one of the ones listed. Bears have a separate code re: hunting and posession, sales etc. which apply to them.

As a side note, Code 2082 states that animals that were acquired prior to the laws being passed in Calif. are exempt. A paper trail or documentation to show that the animal was acquired or older than the law will be sufficient and the law does not prohibit one from selling.

When in doubt, doesn't hurt to call the Calif. Fish and Game office at 916-653-1235 - that should get you to the group that would handle these types of questions.

I'm not an expert. This is just what I've determined. You can provide the Newspaper with the Penal Code information.


Me, lion rug seller

This response submitted by Larry Lugar on 04/16/2004 at 18:56. ( be-nice@cheerful.com ) 68.111.173.29

Hi.

Thanks for your responses.

My local paper admitted that it was not illegal to sell my lion skin rug in my state of CA. However, they stated it's against their 'Guidelines/Policy' for them to advertise it - so they didn't allow me to list it in the paper classifieds.
The heck with them, and their "Guidelines".
Anyways, I advertised the rug in other local publications.


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