(a) A person shall not import or possess any live animal for the purpose of taking by hunting, unless the Commissioner has issued the person an importation and possession permit. The Fish and Wildlife Board shall adopt rules necessary to establish, implement, and enforce the permit and permit process.

(b) An application for a permit shall be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection certifying that the animal has been inspected, is not showing signs of contagious diseases, and has been inventoried, registered, and tested in accordance with rules of the Secretary of Agriculture, Food and Markets. The Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife may inspect animals being imported under an importation and possession permit and may dispose of unlawfully imported or possessed animals. The State may collect treble damages for expenses incurred in enforcing a violation of this subsection. (Added 1999, No. 30, § 6; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2005, No. 12, § 5, eff. May 2, 2005.)