Georgia lawmakers hope to make pygmy hedgehogs legal pets

After a failed attempt last year, supporters of a plan to make African pygmy hedgehogs are trying again.

Morris News Service reports Ga. Rep. Regina Quick, R-Athens, will re-introduce a bill to legalize the animals as pets, along with a similar bill filed in the Senate by her ally in hedgehogs, Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus. They hope to convince other legislators that the animals will not become invasive pests if they escape into the wild. They say the species will not reproduce in the wild.

Quick is acting at the behest of Bella Hayes of Oconee County, Georgia, who last year wrote her requesting the right to own one legally. Hayes was 11.

For the complete report, click here.

This story was originally published February 10, 2015 at 9:07 AM.