Ashwaubenon, WI Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

Section 4-1-6 makes it unlawful for anyone in the Village of Ashwaubenon to own, keep, possess, harbor, bring in, or act as custodian of an exotic animal, defined as anything falling within the orders and families on the Village board's prohibited animal list. That list is extensive: all bat species, most hoofed mammals such as hippos, giraffes and camels (domestic cattle, swine, sheep, goats, alpacas and llamas are excluded), big cats like lions, tigers, cougars and ocelots (domestic cats excluded), the whole wild dog family including wolves, coyotes, foxes and jackals (domestic dogs excluded), every bear species, weasels and skunks (ferrets excluded), raccoons, hyenas, anteaters, marsupials, rhinos and tapirs (horses, donkeys and mules excluded), primates, elephants, and wild rodents (guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils and hamsters excluded).

It also reaches specific reptiles such as gila monsters, monitor lizards over two feet, green and rock iguanas, large boas, cobras and rattlesnakes, birds of prey and ratites, and named venomous scorpion, widow-spider, brown recluse and centipede species, plus any federally or state-listed endangered or threatened species. Section 4-1-6(C)(2) exempts accredited zoos and aquariums, licensed veterinary hospitals and clinics, licensed or accredited research, medical or educational institutions including museums, government-operated facilities and their volunteers, licensed traveling circuses, and animals merely being transported through the Village for 24 hours or less in secure confinement. Any structure housing an animal, exotic or not, must be built for easy cleaning, kept sanitary and free of objectionable odor under Section 4-1-6(D).