Most municipalities have ordinances which prohibit the ownership of wild or exotic animals as pets. Be sure to check your local municipal laws.
By the way, lions, tigers, and bears are prohibited. As are many other wild animals. Please see Louisiana Administrative Code Title 76 section 115, 13
(a) No person shall own, possess or sell or keep a wild or exotic animal as a pet in the parish
Sec. 18-7. - Wild or exotic animals as pets prohibited.
No person shall keep or permit to be kept any wild, or exotic animal as a pet.
No person shall offer for sale wild or exotic animals as pets. Zoos and educational institutions that are accredited and that meet all state and federal regulations may sell wild and exotic animals to other zoos or educational institutions with similar accreditations and that also meet all state and federal regulations.
Sec. 14-6. - Keeping of wild, exotic or vicious animals.
(a)For the purpose of this section, the following shall be designated wild or exotic animals: tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, lynx, bobcats, bears, wolves, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, poisonous snakes, komodo dragons, African buffalo, hyenas, coyotes, deer, any crocodilian including, but not limited to, alligators, crocodiles and gavials, any other species of nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, foxes, ratite birds, hybrid species consisting of wolves, coyotes, or jackals interbred with domestic dogs and ocelots or margays interbred with domestic cats.
(b)No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any vicious, wild, or exotic animal for display or for exhibition purposes whether gratuitously or for a fee.
(c)No person shall keep or permit to be kept on his premises any wild or exotic animal as a pet as defined in this section except such animals that were acquired prior to May 23, 1989.
(d)No person shall take or possess any wild animal by illegal methods.
(e)No person may offer for sale a wild or exotic animal as defined in this section, except such animals that were purchased prior to May 23, 1989.
(f)Persons following state or federal regulations and holding such permits or licenses which include, but are not limited to, Chimp Haven and the Louisiana State Fair, shall be exempt from this section. Cruelty and sanitation laws shall apply to all persons holding such permits and licenses.
(g)Qualified educational institutions, zoological parks, public-operated parks or displays, performing animal exhibitions, circuses, scientific organizations, veterinary clinics, law enforcement and commercial guard dogs shall be exempt from this section.
(h)Dual violations. Violations of this section shall be dual violations in reference to violations of Title 56 of the state department of wildlife and fisheries.
(Ord. No. 37, 2016, 5-24-16)
