Mute
Swans in New Jersey
Concern
is increasing over anti-mute swan legislation.
Recently the law has changed in North Carolina regarding Mute Swan ownership.
It is now illegal to place swans in any public waterway,
including parks, ponds and lakes. Swans can and most likely will be
removed from these type of situations.
If you are aware of this type of situation please contact us so we may
assist with removal and placement.
All mute swans must now
be pinioned on your land. If you own swans you have until January 2009 to
have them pinioned. Although there is no enforcement provision I am trying
to find out what there will be in the way of fines or punishment. If you
already have swans you must contact a veterinarian to have the pinioning done
under anesthesia.
I am attaching the reference to the new law for you to read.
Wild Birds Defined
The English sparrow (Passer domesticus), pigeon (Columba livia),
mute swan
(Cygnus olor), and starling (Sturnus vulgaris) are specifically
excluded from
the definition of "wild birds" contained in G.S. 113-129(15a).
RELEASE
OF Mute Swans
It is unlawful for any individual to release any mute swan (Cygnus olor)
into
the public waters of North Carolina. Any individual who releases a
mute swan to privately controlled waters must ensure that the animal has been
pinioned.
Individuals who currently possess or confine mute swans on their property
must pinion all mute swans on their property by January 1, 2009. For the
purposes of this Rule privately controlled waters is defined as: a body of
water lying wholly upon a single tract of privately owned land or a body of
water lying entirely within private property, even if that property is comprised
of multiple tracts owned by one or multiple individuals. In addition,
privately controlled waters are waters to which the public does not have access
without permission of one or more of the private landowners surrounding the
water(s).
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