Chesterfield County Code § 4-3 prohibits keeping wild or exotic animals as pets or for display. Banned animals include nonhuman primates, big cats, wolves, raccoons, skunks, foxes, venomous snakes, tarantulas, and crocodilians.
Under County Code § 4-3, no person may keep a wild or exotic animal as a pet or for display or exhibition, for free or for a fee. "Wild or exotic animal" covers monkeys and other primates, raccoons, skunks, wolves, foxes, squirrels, leopards, panthers, tigers, lions, lynx and other warm-blooded wild mammals; venomous snakes; tarantulas; other venomous wild animals; and crocodilians (alligators, crocodiles, caimans, gavials). Nonvenomous snakes, ferrets, rabbits, lab rats, gerbils, hamsters and other small domesticated mammals are exempt. Licensed circuses, veterinary clinics and permitted exhibitions are excepted but may not allow public contact.
Keeping a prohibited wild or exotic animal is a violation of Chapter 4 enforced by Animal Services; animals may be seized and misdemeanor penalties apply.
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