Pitt County, NC Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)

The ordinance defines "Dangerous Exotic or Wild Animal" to mean animals of the Panthera genus (lions, tigers and similar big cats), venomous amphibians, venomous reptiles, nonvenomous reptiles weighing over 50 pounds at maturity, or wolves. Part VI, Section 1 required owners of those animals to register with Pitt County Animal Services within one year of the ordinance's March 7, 2022 adoption, submitting the applicant's name, address and phone number, a description of the animal by species, sex and body weight, the keeping address, and proof of ability to pay damages, a minimum $100,000 liability insurance certificate or an equivalent surety bond filed with the health director, non-cancelable without ten days' written notice to the Director.

Permits issued under Section 1 are non-transferable. Section 2 then bans possession of any dangerous exotic animal after that one-year window unless the owner holds a valid Section 1 permit. Section 3 exempts lawfully operated pet shops, zoological gardens, scientific research laboratories, circuses, veterinarians, travelling zoos, zoos providing professional medical treatment, wildlife rehabilitators with proper permits, and USDA-licensed exhibitors displaying the animals for educational purposes, but only if the animals are housed in a manner that prevents escape.