Maryland bans keeping dangerous exotic animals, so no Harford County resident may possess a big cat, bear, primate, or venomous snake. Criminal Law Section 10-621 prohibits importing, selling, or possessing these species, with narrow exemptions for licensed facilities.
Dangerous exotic animals are controlled by the state, not the county. Maryland Criminal Law Section 10-621 makes it unlawful to import, sell, trade, possess, breed, or exchange a live fox, skunk, raccoon, or bear; a caiman, alligator, or crocodile; any cat-family member other than the domestic cat; a nonhuman primate; or a venomous snake in the listed family groups. Exemptions cover licensed zoos, researchers, sanctuaries, and those who lawfully held such an animal before May 31, 2006. This binds every Harford County resident equally; no municipality can authorize a prohibited animal. Ordinary domestic pets and common non-venomous reptiles are unaffected.
Possessing a prohibited exotic animal under Criminal Law Section 10-621 is a misdemeanor, and the animal can be seized. Municipalities and the county refer these cases to state enforcement.
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