(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in the public interest to insure the public health, safety, and welfare by strictly regulating in this State the importation, transportation, sale, transfer, and possession of those animals which pose a possibility of:

(1) The introduction of a disease or pest harmful to livestock or poultry;

(2) Problems of enforcing laws and regulations relative to agriculture and animal husbandry; or

(3) Threatening the physical welfare of livestock or poultry populations.

(b) (1) For the purposes of this subsection, “animal” does not include:

(i) Human beings;

(ii) Livestock or poultry; or

(iii) Wildlife regulated by the Department of Natural Resources.

(2) The Secretary may promulgate a list of animals determined to be harmful to livestock or poultry and prohibit or restrict their transportation, importation, sale, transfer, and possession in this State.