West Virginia § 20-2-13 - 20-2-13. Importation of wildlife; certification and inspection of imported wildlife.

§ 20-2-13. 20-2-13. Importation of wildlife; certification and inspection of imported wildlife.

No person shall transport into or have in his possession within this state any live wildlife or viable eggs thereof from without the state, except as authorized by an importation permit issued by the director: Provided, That the director shall not be authorized to issue a permit to any person to transport into this state any coyotes (Canis latrans). The director may issue at his discretion such permit as he is authorized to issue, fix the terms thereof and revoke it at his pleasure. Importers of fish or viable eggs of the family salmondiae (trout, char, salmon) shall furnish a statement from a recognized fish pathologist certifying the source to be free of whirling disease, infectious pancreatic necrosis, viral hemorrhagic septicemia or other diseases which may threaten fish stocks within the state.

Importers of wildlife species shall furnish disease free certification from pathologists, or veterinarians, as the director deems necessary to protect native populations.

All imported wildlife shall be subject to inspection by authorized agents of the department and such inspections may include biological examinations and the removal of a reasonable sample of fish or eggs for such purposes.

Any person violating any of the provisions of this section concerning coyotes shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall for each offense be fined not less than one hundred nor more than $300, or confined in jail not less than ten nor more than one hundred days, or be both fined and imprisoned within the limitations aforesaid.