Committee advances ban on future private primate ownership after sanctuary testimony

Senator Peterson presented "senate bill 21 72," a request bill from the Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary that would prohibit future ownership, sale, trade or breeding of primates in Oklahoma with grandfathering and registration for individuals who lawfully possess primates before the effective date.

Tawny Dosser, executive director of the Oklahoma Primate Sanctuary, told the committee the sanctuary cares for 94 primates now and expects to exceed 100 by year’s end. She described injuries and dangerous behaviors from pet primates and urged the committee to back the ban.

"They're wild animals. They're not pets," Dosser said, describing incidents in which a small marmoset injured family members and caused eye injuries that required surgery.

The bill includes exceptions for research facilities, accredited sanctuaries, shelters, veterinary hospitals, law enforcement and zoos, and allows voluntary relinquishment to authorized entities. It also provides for penalties for violation and requires registration of existing lawful ownership.

After brief questions and a do-pass motion, the clerk recorded 11 ayes, 0 nays and the chair declared the bill passed by committee vote. The bill will move forward to the next legislative step with committee approval.

The committee transcript records testimony from sanctuary leadership and committee members’ questions about enforcement and scope; the measure passed the committee.