Pennsylvania Hedgehogs, if found, can be confiscated and/or euthanized by the Game Commission

You won’t hear a hedgehog barking at 1 in the morning. Hedgehogs don’t require a large space to live in. Hedgehogs are hypoallergenic pets. These cute little creatures don’t have a noticeable body odor and require less maintenance then a cat or dog. So, why are Pennsylvania residents not allowed to own these cute little creatures.

African pygmy hedgehogs are illegal to own as pets in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine and PENNSYLVANIA. (told to me by the PA Game Commission, although I can’t find specific legislation stating this)

I emailed the Game Commission to ask them why Hedgehogs are illegal and this is what they responded with, “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.”

I did some research and I found it very hard to find anything having to do with hedgehogs running amuck or getting anyone sick in the United States let alone PA. They say that they can carry salmonella and this could be or is true. But, I can also get salmonella from eating raw cookie dough but there isn’t a law against that. 

 I am also wondering if the commission knows of the two different types of hedgehogs. There is the European hedgehog and the African Pygym Hedgehog. The African Pygym hedgehog, which has had no need to import new litters from Africa due to the amount of reputable breeders in the state, requires an enclosure that should have a temperature kept above 70 degrees. Now how is this cute little critter going to survive a Pennsylvania winter?

“Under current Pennsylvania law, residents can get a permit to have a pet lion, providing they meet certain other requirements. They can have wolf, or a bear.
But not a hedgehog, a small, round creature with long, dull spindles and nocturnal habits.” (Melissa Daniels)

Please explain to me why I can get the appropriate paper work to own a lion! But, I can’t own a hedgehog!! Explain the justice! Let try and convince the PA house members to bring back Bill 575 to amend Title 34. This would allow Pennsylvania residence to own hedgehogs and sugar gliders!

PA Bill 575 

These hedgehogs make lovely pets and pose no harm to Pennsylvania ecosystem. Please legalize hedgehogs in the state of Pennsylvania, as they pose no threat to our ecosystem and only benefit the lives of children and adults who adore these beautiful creatures.

Melissa Daniels: http://paindependent.com/2013/03/pa-lawmaker-let-my-hedgehogs-go/
http://small-pets.lovetoknow.com/choosing-small-pet/do-hedgehogs-make-good-pets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_hedgehog