The recent escape of exotic animals from a private wild-animal preserve in Ohio reignited the discussion over private ownership of these animals. As reported by USA Today, state laws on exotic pets vary, and eight states (including Ohio) do not regulate their ownership. Federal laws such as the Endangered Species Act, Captive Wildlife Safety Act, and Animal Welfare Act, regulate the exhibition, sale, breeding, and interstate transport of exotic or endangered animals but federal law does not regulate private possession of these animals. Private owners must abide by state and local restrictions.
In Connecticut, it is illegal to possess a potentially dangerous animal, including such wildlife as a lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, puma, lynx, bobcat, wolf, coyote, black bear, grizzly bear, brown bear, gorilla, chimpanzee, or orangutan, among others (see CGS § 26-40a).
For more information, the Animal Legal & Historical Center at Michigan State University College of Law maintains a list of state statutes related to wild animal possession.
