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[Bunny]

This message was self-deleted by its author (Bunny) on Tue Feb 7, 2012, 08:26 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Glassunion]

1. My wife and I have been asking the same question.

A very unfortunate political battle has developed within the State of Pennsylvania making hedgehogs illegal to the point where threats have been made against even the transport of hedgehogs through the state on the way to another state.

All of this is the result of an initial (and unusual) law established in the 1990's. Under that law, hedgehogs within the state were legal, but it was illegal to import fresh bloodlines into the state. A few breeders violated that law resulting in the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) declaring all out war on all hedgehogs within the state. Breeder's homes have been raided and their hedgehogs confiscated with all of the zeal of a major drug bust. Suffice it to say, owning a hedgehog in Pennsylvania under the draconian rule of PGC is extremely dangerous for both owner and hedgehog.

So if you don't mind the PGC doing a SWAT style raid on your home coming in, taking, then destroying your hedgehogs then go ahead and get some.

[Richardo]

2. "'At's a protected animal, Greg...."

"....Officer Martin gets wind of it there'll be hell to pay." Bunny!

[Richardo]

7. !!!

There's 150 pink circles in your yard, Bunny.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Well, this appears to be the reason they are using....

According to the e-mail I sent to the PGC (Pennsylvania Gamers Commission), this is what they wrote. After I show you what they wrote, I wrote this first: Hi! My name is Alyssa and I was wondering if you could own African Pygmy Hedgehogs as pets.

This is what they wrote back:

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is legislatively mandated the duty to protect, propagate, manage and preserve the game and wildlife of this Commonwealth and to enforce, by proper actions and proceedings, the laws of this Commonwealth relating thereto. In order to administrate and enforce Title 34 (The Game and Wildlife Code), the Commission through proper action shall prohibit the possession, importation, exportation or release of any species of birds or animals which may be considered dangerous or injurious to the general public or to the wildlife of this Commonwealth.


Hedgehogs are considered dangerous and injurious to Pennsylvania's native wildlife. Hedgehogs feed on the eggs or young of ground-nesting game, and can carry diseases like Leptospira pomona (affects young dairy calves) and ringworm which affects humans. Hedgehogs were released by people in New Zealand in 1885, and now are more numerous there than their native range in Britain. Since Pennsylvania shares the same climate changes as Britain and New Zealand, hedgehogs would be able to survive the winter and possibly start a wild population in Pennsylvania. For these reasons the Commission does not allow the importation or possession of hedgehogs.



Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_are_hedgehogs_illegal_in_PA#ixzz1iXwDNm4E