Local laws: No pet rats in Billings

A recent Helena Independent Record article asked a question
that’s probably crossed the mind of many a Montanan – Is riding a horse while drunk legal in the
state?

That got us thinking here at Crime Watch. What odd, quirky or
surprising laws and ordinances do we have here in Billings and
across the state?

We’ll occasionally take a look at what’s on the books in
Montana. Most, if not all, of them have practical, understandable
purposes grounded in logic but sometimes it still comes as a
surprise to see them in writing.

Here’s the first one we found:

In Billings, Sec.
4-304 of the city code says it’s against city ordinance to own,
sell or raise rats unless they’re used to feed birds of prey or
reptiles. That means they can’t be kept as pets. It also allows
them to be owned for legitimate scientific research and
education.

The offense is a municipal infraction, which carries a fine of
up to $300 for a first-time violation.

Article source: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/blogs/crime-watch/article_9beb7c2b-6725-5a9a-8bd9-1a5b22db3d62.html

Related posts:

1. Billings Montana: No Pet Rats $300! Against City Ordinance, Pet Rat Law
2. RSPCA seeking homes for pet rats
3. Local/state
4. Adopt this Pet: Meet Piper the Cat
5. Adopt this Pet: Meet Boggy the Border Collie

Tags: Pet, pet rat, pet rats, Pets, Rat..., Rats